light cut off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "light cut off" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing lighting or visibility, but it is not a commonly recognized expression. Example: "The light cut off abruptly as the power went out, leaving the room in darkness."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Lemon pressed a button, and just before the lights cut off, bird song issued forth.

The New York Times - Arts

He had announced that he would "cut off of the lights", cut off the funds to KwaZulu-Natal, if they didn't stop the violence.

Independent

The celebrations didn't last long as the lights cut off before Bray Wyatt appeared to hit the Sister Abigail on the Big Guy.

Independent

They can speed through red lights, cut off cars and pedestrians, ride without helmets and lights, and act as though no laws apply to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's saving a phenomenal amount of money, it's decreased crime because burglars love ambient lighting, it's nice to see the night sky and, as someone who lives in a main street that has had its lights cut off, I can get a good night's sleep".

The Guardian

Acid Orange 7 (and) and methyl orange (MeO): 25 ppm Irradiation time: 240 min for AO7 300 min for MeO visible irradiation: 1000 W halogen lamp short-wavelength components (<420 nm) of the light were cut off using a cutoff glass filter 100%% Dye absorbed on WOx TiO2 surface decolorized and aromatic + aliphatic acid intermediates formed [181] TiO2 0.5 g L−1 Initial conc.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

The filters and camera control were adjusted automatically using software (Meta Morph; Universal Imaging Corp .. Stray light was cut off by turning off the electric system and covering it tightly with foil.

Plosone

The scattered excitation light was cut off by an emission filter (850 SP, Andover) in front of the imaging camera objective.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

The 150 American troops trapped in the streets of Mogadishu were members of a light infantry unit cut off from backup or supply, without armor, dependent on a small number of helicopters for air support.

The New York Times

The crosslinking was achieved via irradiation within the broad wavelength range from 200 to 800 nm, as well as by the light cut-off at λ > 300 nm.

Polymer

From a boat, with the lights of Charleston cut off by the curvature of the earth, the lighthouse seemed to join the parade of ghosts that inhabit this former slave port.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sudden loss of light due to a power outage or deliberate action, "light cut off" is appropriate. For scientific or technical contexts, consider more precise terms like "illumination ceased" or "light blocked".

Common error

Ensure the tense of "cut off" matches the context. For example, use "the light was cut off" for past events or "the light is cut off" for present conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light cut off" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often describing the action of interrupting or ceasing illumination. As evidenced by Ludwig, it can relate to a sudden power outage, a deliberate switching off of lights, or physical obstruction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “light cut off” is an acceptably grammatical verb phrase that describes the interruption or cessation of light. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While Ludwig AI recognizes the phrase is not standard in written English, it's still in relatively common usage and easily understood, especially when describing a sudden loss of light. When writing, consider the context and choose synonyms like "light extinguished" or "light blocked" for more formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

light shut off

Similar meaning with different wording

light switched off

Focuses on the action of turning off a light source.

light went out

Describes the spontaneous stopping of light.

light extinguished

Replaces "cut off" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the action of ceasing to shine.

light interrupted

Highlights the temporary or sudden halt of light.

light blocked

Focuses on the physical obstruction of light.

illumination ceased

A more technical term to describe light termination.

light obscured

Indicates light is made dim or unclear, rather than completely stopped.

source of light removed

Highlights the removal of the light source as the cause.

light dimmed

Implies a reduction in light intensity rather than a complete cessation.

FAQs

What does "light cut off" mean?

The phrase "light cut off" generally means that the source of light has been interrupted or terminated, either intentionally or unintentionally. It can describe a sudden power outage, a deliberate switching off of lights, or a physical obstruction of light.

What can I say instead of "light cut off"?

You can use alternatives like "light extinguished", "light blocked", or "illumination ceased", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the lights cut off"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable. The phrase "the lights cut off" means all the lights stop working, usually due to a power issue. You can also say "the lights were "switched off"" if someone turned them off manually.

How is "light cut off" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific contexts, "light cut off" may refer to the use of filters or other mechanisms to block certain wavelengths of light. For instance, "a filter was used to "cut off UV light"" in an experiment.