cutting onions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cutting onions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is preparing food, particularly when referring to the act of chopping onions, which often leads to tears. Example: "I started cutting onions for the salad, and suddenly I couldn't see anything because of the tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And no, we've just been cutting onions.

The Guardian - Music

The goal when cutting onions is to create similar-size pieces that will cook evenly.

The Washington Post

The first is rather impractical: cutting onions under cold running water.

The New York Times - Food

I'm still wasting my office time trying to be a Photoshop genius Have you been cutting onions?

The Guardian - Music

In the latter, she was the matriarch who is seen briefly at the beginning, sobbing while listening to the radio news about the riots in Paris in May 1968, but is soon revealed to be busy cutting onions.

The Guardian - Film

And part of that muck is precisely washing dishes, folding laundry, turning off the lights, and cutting onions.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Reflex tear: This tear is harvested after cutting white onions.

Vice

Reflex tear: This tear is harvested after cutting white onions and eating a red pepper.

Vice

This can save the tears from cutting those onions!

WikiHow

Use the bulbs from the bottom, cutting the onion out below the knot so the onion above it stays secure.

WikiHow

Once you understand the basic technique, cutting an onion is all about practice.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about cooking or food preparation, use "cutting onions" to clearly convey the specific action of chopping onions, especially when describing steps in a recipe or culinary process.

Common error

Don't use "cutting onions" metaphorically without context. Ensure the reader understands that you're referring to the literal act of chopping onions and not using it as a vague expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cutting onions" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. This means it can serve as the subject or part of the predicate. For instance, Ludwig provides examples where it describes an ongoing action related to food preparation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

35%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Forbes

5%

The New York Times

5%

Vice

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cutting onions" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe the act of chopping onions, most often within a culinary or food preparation context. While it maintains a neutral register, its frequency across news sources, wikis, and blogs marks it as a relevant choice. To improve clarity, avoid metaphorical usage without clearly indicating the context. When searching for alternatives, consider synonyms like "chopping onions" or "slicing onions" for more precise descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chopping onions

Direct synonym, referring to the same action of preparing onions by cutting them into smaller pieces.

onion cutting

Noun form of the original phrase.

chopping an onion

Specific and action of chopping the onion

slicing onions

Similar action, specifying a particular method of cutting onions into slices.

slicing an onion

Specific and action of slicing the onion

dicing onions

Similar action, specifying a method of cutting onions into small cubes.

mincing onions

Similar action, specifying a method of cutting onions into very small pieces.

halving onions

Action of slicing the onion in half.

preparing onions

Broader term encompassing various methods of getting onions ready for cooking.

onion preparation

Noun form describing the process of getting onions ready.

FAQs

How to use "cutting onions" in a sentence?

You can use "cutting onions" to describe a step in cooking, as in "I was "cutting onions" for the soup when I started to cry."

What can I say instead of "cutting onions"?

Alternatives include "chopping onions", "slicing onions", or "dicing onions", depending on the specific cutting method you are using.

Why do I cry when I'm "cutting onions"?

Onions release a chemical irritant when cut, which stimulates tear production as a defense mechanism.

What are some tips for "cutting onions" without crying?

Some tips include using a sharp knife, chilling the onions before cutting, or "cutting onions under running water".