cut short

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cut short

The meeting was cut short due to a fire alarm.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To terminate or abbreviate something before its intended or proper end, or before it has reached its full extent.
    • To make something shorter, as if by cutting off a part.
    • To cause something to end earlier than intended.
    • To interrupt something before its natural or planned conclusion.
Usage and Examples

  • To terminate/abbreviate prematurely:

    • The chairman cut short the meeting due to a fire alarm.
    • Her promising career was cut short by a sudden illness.

  • To make shorter:

    • He cut short his speech when he saw the audience was restless.
    • Please cut short your story; we are running out of time.

  • To cause an earlier end:

    • The bad weather cut short our picnic.
    • The sudden power outage cut the concert short.

  • To interrupt:

    • I'm sorry to cut you short, but I must take this call.
    • Their argument was cut short by the arrival of a guest.
Advanced Usage

  • "to cut someone short": To interrupt someone while they are speaking.

    • She tried to explain, but he cut her short with an angry gesture.

  • "to cut a visit/trip short": To end a visit or trip earlier than planned.

    • We had to cut our trip short and return home for a family emergency.
Variants and Related Words
  • Curtail (verb): To reduce or limit something, often similar in meaning to 'cut short' in the sense of restricting.
    • The government's new policy will curtail freedom of speech.
  • Truncate (verb): To shorten something by cutting off the top or end, often used in technical or formal contexts.
    • The editor truncated the article to fit the page.
  • Abbreviate (verb): To shorten a word or phrase, or to reduce the duration of something.
    • "Department" is often abbreviated to "Dept.".
Synonyms
  • Abridge: To shorten a text or duration.
  • Terminate: To bring to an end.
  • Interrupt: To stop the continuous progress of an activity or process.
  • Halt: To cause to stop.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Cut off: To stop the provision of something or to interrupt someone speaking. (Note: This is a distinct phrasal verb with broader meanings).
    • Our water supply was cut off.
    • He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
Related Idioms
  • Cut to the chase: To get to the point without wasting time. (This idiom shares the concept of shortening but is used differently).
    • Stop giving me all the background details and cut to the chase.
cut short

The meeting was cut short due to a fire alarm.

Verb
  1. terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
    • My speech was cut short
    • Personal freedom is curtailed in many countries
  2. make shorter as if by cutting off
    • truncate a word
    • Erosion has truncated the ridges of the mountains
  3. cause to end earlier than intended
    • The spontaneous applause cut the singer short
  4. interrupt before its natural or planned end
    • We had to cut short our vacation

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