cut up

Definition

Adjective:
- Cut into pieces: Describes something that has been divided or separated into smaller parts or sections.
Verb:
- To cut into pieces: To divide something into smaller parts by cutting.
- To criticize or tease severely: To make hurtful or mocking remarks about someone.
- To behave in a comical or boisterous way: To act in a silly, attention-seeking, or disruptive manner, often to make others laugh.

Usage and Examples

Adjective:
- Add the cut up vegetables to the pot. (The vegetables have been sliced into pieces.)
- We used cut up paper for the art project. (The paper was in small pieces.)
Verb (Literal meaning: to divide by cutting):
- Please cut up the chicken before cooking it. (Divide the chicken into pieces with a knife.)
- She cut up the old credit cards for security. (She sliced the cards into fragments.)
Verb (Figurative meaning: to criticize or tease):
- The critic cut up the author's new novel. (The reviewer wrote a very harsh criticism of the book.)
- The other kids cut him up about his new haircut. (The other children teased him cruelly about his haircut.)
Verb (Meaning: to act comically/boisterously):
- The comedian cut up on stage for an hour. (The comedian performed hilarious antics.)
- The students started to cut up when the teacher left the room. (The students began to misbehave and act silly.)

Advanced Usage

"to be cut up about something": To be very upset or emotionally distressed about something.
- He was really cut up about failing the exam. (He was deeply upset about failing.)

Variants and Related Words

Cutup (noun): A person who habitually acts in a funny or clownish way.
- My brother is the class cutup. (My brother is the one who always jokes around in class.)

Synonyms

Related Phrasal Verbs

Cut up rough (British English, informal): To become angry or behave in an aggressive, difficult way.
- He's likely to cut up rough if he doesn't get his way. (He will probably get angry and difficult.)

Related Idioms

Cut up nasty: Similar to "cut up rough"; to become unpleasant or aggressive.
- The negotiation started well, but he cut up nasty when we mentioned the price. (He became aggressive when price was discussed.)

Adjective

Verb

significantly cut up a manuscript
separate into isolated compartments or categories
- You cannot compartmentalize your life like this!
destroy or injure severely
- The madman mutilates art work
cut to pieces
- Father carved the ham

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