cut down

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Explanation of "Cut Down"

Definition: "Cut down" is a phrasal verb that mainly means to reduce the amount of something or to physically cut something so that it falls down. It can also imply causing something to stop or decrease in size, quantity, or strength.

Usage Instructions:

• Verb form: "cut down"
• Subject: You can use it with various subjects (I, you, he, she, they) to indicate who is doing the cutting down.

Examples:

1. Physical Cutting: "The workers cut down the old tree in the park."
2. Reduction: "I want to cut down on my sugar intake for better health."
3. Stopping an Activity: "The company decided to cut down on overtime hours."

Advanced Usage:

• In a figurative sense: "The teacher cut down on the number of assignments to reduce student stress."
• In sports or competition: "The defender cut down the forward to prevent him from scoring."

Word Variants:

• Cut (verb): The base form of "cut down."
• Cutting (noun/gerund): The act of cutting; can be used in phrases like "cutting back" or "cutting down."
• Cut (noun): The result of cutting; can refer to a physical cut or incision.

Different Meanings:

1. Physical Cutting: To chop or slice something (like a tree) so it falls or is reduced in size.
2. Reduction: To decrease the amount of something, like expenses or consumption.
3. To Stop: To halt an action or behavior.

Synonyms:

• Reduce: To make something smaller or less in amount.
• Decrease: To diminish in size, number, or strength.
• Lower: To bring down to a lesser level.
• Diminish: To make or become less.

Related Idioms:

• "Cut back": To reduce the amount of something. Example: "We need to cut back on spending."
• "Cut to the bone": To reduce something to the lowest possible level. Example: "The budget was cut to the bone."

Phrasal Verbs:

• Cut down on: To reduce the amount of something. Example: "I need to cut down on caffeine."
• Cut off: To remove by cutting, or to stop something from happening. Example: "The storm cut off power to the entire area."

Summary:

"Cut down" can mean physically cutting something until it falls, or it can refer to reducing the amount of something in various contexts.

Academic

Verb

1. cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
   • strike down a tree
   • Lightning struck down the hikers
2. cut with a blade or mower
   • mow the grass
3. intercept (a player)
4. cause to come or go down
   • The policeman downed the heavily armed suspect
   • The mugger knocked down the old lady after she refused to hand over her wallet
5. cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete
6. cut down on; make a reduction in
   • reduce your daily fat intake
   • The employer wants to cut back health benefits

Synonyms

• fell
• drop
• strike down
• mow
• cut out
• down
• knock down
• push down
• pull down
• slash
• reduce
• cut back
• trim
• trim down
• trim back
• cut
• bring down