to cut off

USAGE SUMMARY

"to cut off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations, but typically it means to separate something from the main body, to halt or interrupt something, or to completely remove something. Example: The power company had to cut off the electricity to the entire neighborhood due to a severe storm. In this sentence, "cut off" means the power company had to stop the flow of electricity to the homes in the neighborhood. Example: The manager decided to cut off the project funding because it was not showing any progress. In this sentence, "cut off" means to stop the funding for the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To cut off the angles.

The New York Times

Nothing to cut off.

The Guardian

The plan to cut off Sec.

The New Yorker

To cut off his leg?

The New York Times - Magazine

Henein hastened to cut off her statement.

The Guardian

I need to cut off a little more.

Yale University

Now he wants to cut off the pigeons' food supply.

The Economist

Yeltsin truly decided to cut off ties with the Party.

The New Yorker

"They threatened to cut off my tongue," she said sourly.

The New Yorker

She pressed lawmakers to cut off aid to Morocco.

The New York Times

Some Democrats want to cut off funds for the war.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to cut off" in the context of a relationship, be clear about the reasons for ending contact to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to cut off" when a temporary suspension or break is intended. Use phrases like "suspend" or "take a break from" instead to indicate the possibility of future reconnection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to cut off" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "cut" with the particle "off" to create a new meaning, often involving separation, termination, or interruption. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to cut off" is a versatile phrasal verb with a very common usage, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. It is generally used to indicate the termination of connections, supplies, or relationships. The Ludwig AI highlights its correctness in a wide array of situations. While acceptable across different registers, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media. When opting for synonyms, remember to consider the specific context; alternatives like "to disconnect" or "to sever" might be more fitting depending on the intent. When using the phrase, make sure you avoid ambiguities by specifying the reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to disconnect

Focuses on severing a connection, often electronic or physical.

to interrupt

Highlights the act of stopping something temporarily.

to sever

Emphasizes a complete and decisive separation or termination.

to halt

Indicates bringing something to a stop.

to terminate

Suggests a formal or official ending.

to eliminate

Highlights the complete removal of something.

to block

Focuses on preventing access or passage.

to isolate

Emphasizes separation from others.

to detach

Suggests separating something physically.

to amputate

Refers specifically to surgically removing a limb.

FAQs

How can I use "to cut off" in a sentence?

You can use "to cut off" to describe severing a connection, such as "They decided "to cut off" all ties with the organization" or interrupting something, like "The speaker was "to cut off" mid-sentence by the moderator".

What are some alternatives to "to cut off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to disconnect", "to interrupt", or "to sever" as substitutes for "to cut off".

When is it appropriate to use "to cut off" in a professional setting?

In a professional context, "to cut off" can be used to describe ending funding for a project, like "The company decided "to cut off" funding for the research project" or terminating a contract.

Is "to cut off" formal or informal?

"To cut off" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific context and surrounding language can influence the overall tone. More formal alternatives might include "to terminate" or "to discontinue".