take a cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an act of reducing something or receiving a reduced portion of something. For example: The employees were asked to take a cut in their wages.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They all take a cut.

The New Yorker

I'll take a cut on profits".

The Guardian

Everyone needs to take a cut".

The Guardian

Yet many profitable chains take a cut of those tips.

Independent

"We are required to take a cut in our budget.

The New York Times

If it makes money we'll take a cut.

The Guardian - Film

Flattr and Adblock will take a cut of around 10%.

The Guardian

The show's overall budget did take a cut in the last deal in 2009.

The New York Times

And they take a cut, typically 20 percent, of any increase in the value of investments.

The New York Times

Naturally, there are "dons" who take a cut from the various businesses that have established themselves.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You simply massage other people's money and take a cut".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a cut" in a financial context, be specific about the percentage or amount being reduced or received to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "take a cut" when you mean to increase something. The phrase always implies a reduction or receiving a smaller portion, not an increase.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "take a cut" is as an idiomatic expression functioning as a verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies either reducing something or receiving a reduced portion of something, commonly in financial or budgetary contexts. Many examples in Ludwig confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a cut" is a very common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression that signifies either reducing something or receiving a reduced portion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used in financial and budgetary contexts. While versatile, remember that it always implies a reduction or smaller share. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, and less commonly in scientific or encyclopedic contexts. When using "take a cut", ensure the context clearly indicates whether something is being reduced or a smaller portion is being received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive a share

Focuses on getting a portion of something, emphasizing the reception aspect.

get a percentage

Highlights obtaining a specific portion, typically in financial contexts.

accept a reduction

Emphasizes agreeing to a decrease, usually in salary or budget.

agree to a decrease

Similar to "accept a reduction", but highlights the agreement aspect.

reduce expenses

Focuses on lowering costs in general, not necessarily related to a specific share.

lower the budget

Specifically targets reducing the funds allocated to a project or department.

diminish earnings

Implies a reduction in profits or income, often unintentionally.

cede a portion

Suggests giving up a part of something, often voluntarily.

relinquish a stake

Implies giving up a claim or interest in something, usually in a business context.

decrease expenditure

Similar to "reduce expenses", but has a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "take a cut" in a sentence?

You can use "take a cut" to describe reducing something, as in "The budget had to "take a cut"". It can also mean receiving a reduced portion, such as "The company will "take a cut" of the profits".

What does "take a cut" mean?

"Take a cut" means to either reduce something or to receive a portion, often a smaller one, of something. It's commonly used in financial or budgetary contexts.

Is it correct to say "take a cut of"?

Yes, it is correct to say "take a cut of". It specifies that someone is receiving a portion of something, such as "take a cut of the profits".

What are some alternatives to "take a cut"?

Alternatives include "receive a share", "get a percentage", or "accept a reduction", depending on the context.