Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove by cutting: To separate a part from the whole using a sharp tool.
   • To stop or interrupt: To cause something to cease or to stop the flow or supply of something.
   • To isolate or disconnect: To separate someone or something from contact, communication, or access.

Usage

• To remove by cutting: Use when describing the physical action of severing something.
  • Example: The barber cut off a large section of my hair.
  • Example: The storm cut off the tree's largest branch.
• To stop or interrupt: Use when describing the cessation of a supply, service, or action.
  • Example: The government cut off funding for the program.
  • Example: He cut off the engine and got out of the car.
• To isolate or disconnect: Use when describing the act of preventing contact or access.
  • Example: The flood cut off the village from the main road.
  • Example: After the argument, she cut off all communication with him.

Advanced Usage

• "To be/get cut off": To be isolated or to have communication/service terminated.
  • Example: We were cut off in the middle of our phone call.
  • Example: The mountain town gets cut off every winter by heavy snow.
• "To cut someone off" (in conversation/traffic): To interrupt someone while they are speaking, or to move in front of another vehicle abruptly.
  • Example: I'm sorry for cutting you off; please continue your story.
  • Example: A reckless driver cut me off on the highway.

Variants and Related Words

• Cutoff (noun): A point or limit that marks a discontinuation.
  • Example: The cutoff date for applications is Friday.
• Cut-off (adjective): Describing something that has been severed or a point that marks a limit.
  • Example: She wore cut-off jeans. (Here, 'cut-off' is part of the compound noun 'cut-off jeans').
  • Example: The cut-off score for passing was 70%.

Synonyms

• Sever: To cut off (a part) from a whole, often formally.
• Amputate: To cut off (a limb) by surgical operation.
• Disconnect: To break the connection of or between.
• Interrupt: To stop the continuous progress of an activity or process.
• Isolate: To place or set apart from others.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cut out: To remove by cutting, often from the middle of something; to stop doing something.
  • Example: She cut out the article from the magazine.
• Cut short: To end something before its natural conclusion.
  • Example: The meeting was cut short due to an emergency.
• Cut back (on): To reduce the amount of something.
  • Example: We need to cut back on our spending.

Related Idioms

• Cut off your nose to spite your face: To harm yourself in the process of trying to harm someone else.
  • Example: Refusing the promotion just to annoy your boss is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
• Cut off without a penny/cent: To be disinherited; to be left no money in someone's will.
  • Example: After the disagreement, his father cut him off without a penny.

Adjective

1. detached by cutting
   • cut flowers
   • a severed head
   • an old tale of Anne Bolyn walking the castle walls with her poor cut-off head under her arm

Verb

1. remove surgically
   • amputate limbs
2. break a small piece off from
   • chip the glass
   • chip a tooth
3. cut off and stop
   • The bicyclist was cut out by the van
4. remove by or as if by cutting
   • cut off the ear
   • lop off the dead branch
5. cease, stop
   • cut the noise
   • We had to cut short the conversation
6. make a break in
   • We interrupt the program for the following messages