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.

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