cut into

Variant of cut

cut definition

cut (kut)

transitive verb cut, cutting cut′·ting

  1. to make an opening in as with a sharp-edged instrument; pierce; incise; gash to pierce, hit sharply, constrict, etc. so as to hurt to hurt the feelings of to grow (a new tooth making its way through the gum)
  2. to remove or divide into parts with a sharp-edged instrument; sever to carve (meat) to cause to fall by severing; fell; hew to mow or reap with a scythe, sickle, etc. to pass through or across; intersect; divide the path cuts the meadow diagonally
    1. to divide (a pack of cards) at random so as to rearrange the pack after the dealer has shuffled or so as to show a card to determine the dealer, partners, etc.
    2. to select (a card) at random from a pack, as by cutting the deck
    to castrate; geldInformal to pretend not to see or know (a person); snubInformal to stay away from (a school class, etc.) without being excusedInformal to cause to stop operating cut the engine☆ Slang to stop; discontinue cut the noise☆ Informal to discharge from a job, release from a sports team, etc.
  3. to make less by or as by severing a part or parts; reduce; lessen; curtail to cut salaries to make shorter by severing the ends of (hair, branches, fingernails, etc.); trim; shear; pare☆ to dilute (alcohol, etc.) to dissolve or break up the fat globules of lye cuts grease
  4. to make, do, form, or decorate by or as by cutting; specif.,
    1. to make (an opening, clearing, channel, etc.) by incising, drilling, hacking, or excavating
    2. to engrave; inscribe
    3. to type or otherwise mark (a stencil) for mimeographing
    4. to cut cloth so as to form the parts for (a garment)
    5. ☆ to edit (film) by deleting some scenes and assembling others into a desired sequence
    6. to hit, drive, or throw (a ball) so that it spins
    7. to cause (a wheel) to turn sharply
    8. ☆ to make a recording of (a speech, music, etc.) on (a phonograph record)
    9. to shape (a diamond), as by sawing or grinding

Etymology: ME cutten, kytten < Late OE *cyttan < Scand base seen in Swed dial., Ice kuta, to cut with a knife: the word replaced OE ceorfan (see carve), snithan, scieran (see shear) as used in its basic senses

intransitive verb

  1. to do the work of a sharp-edged instrument; pierce, sever, gash, etc.
  2. to do cutting; work as a cutter
  3. to take cutting; be severed, etc. pine cuts easily
  4. to use an instrument that cuts
  5. to cause pain by or as by sharp, piercing, or lashing strokes the wind cut through his thin clothes
  6. Informal to swing a bat, club, etc. at a ball
  7. to change direction suddenly, as while running
  8. to move swiftly
  9. Film, TV, etc.
    1. to make a sudden change, as from one scene or character to another
    2. to end the filming or taping of a scene, as by shouting a command (cut!) or giving a sign

adjective

  1. that has been cut
  2. made, formed, or decorated by cutting
  3. reduced; lessened
  4. castrated
  5. Bot. having an indented edge; incised, as some leaves or petals

noun

  1. a cutting or being cut
  2. a stroke or blow with a sharp-edged instrument, whip, etc.
    1. Informal a swing taken at a ball
    2. spin imparted to a ball, as by hitting the lower side of it
  4. an opening, incision, wound, etc. made by a sharp-edged instrument
    1. the omission of a part
    2. the part omitted
  6. a piece or part cut off or out; specif.,
    1. any of the segments of the carcass of a meat animal
    2. a slice from such a segment
  7. the edge or outline of something cut
  8. ☆
    1. the amount cut, as of timber
    2. a reduction; lessening; decrease
  9. shortcut
  10. a passage or channel cut or dug out or worn away
  11. the style in which a thing is cut; fashion; form a stylish cut
  12. an act, remark, etc. that hurts one's feelings
    1. a block or plate engraved for printing, or the impression made from it
    2. a printed picture, as in a newspaper, book, etc.

  14. Etymology: < ? Welsh cwt, lot

    one of the bits of straw, stick, paper, etc. used in drawing lots to decide something
  15. Informal the act of snubbing or ignoring
  16. ☆ Informal an unauthorized absence from school, etc.
  17. ☆ Informal a share, as of profits or loot
  18. ☆ Informal a band () on a phonograph record
  19. Film
    1. a sudden change from one image to another
    2. an assembled version of a movie a rough cut, final cut, etc.
cut Idioms

a cut above

Informal somewhat better than

cut across

to take a shorter course by going straight across as in a diagonal direction

cut a deal

☆ Slang
to reach an agreement; make a bargain

cut a figure

  1. to attract attention
  2. to make a (specified kind of) showing or impression

cut and dried

  1. prepared or arranged beforehand; routine
  2. lifeless; dull; boring

cut and run

Etymology: from the earlier naval phrase meaning “to cut the anchor cable and set sail immediately”

to leave in haste

cut back

  1. to make shorter by cutting off the end
  2. to reduce, decrease, or discontinue (production, personnel, etc.)
  3. ☆ to go back to earlier narrative events, as in a novel or film
  4. ☆ to change direction suddenly, as in football

cut dead

Informal to snub completely

cut down

  1. to cause to fall by cutting; fell
  2. to kill, as by shooting
  3. to reduce; lessen
  4. Informal to humiliate, humble, etc. by criticizing sharply

cut down to size

Informal to reduce the prestige or importance of

cut in

    1. to move in suddenly, as into a small opening in a lane of traffic
    2. to move into another's place don't cut in line
      also cut into
  2. to join in suddenly; break in on; interrupt
  3. ☆ to interrupt a couple dancing in order to dance with one of them
  4. to blend (shortening) into flour, etc. as with a knife
  5. to put or bring in; introduce
  6. to make a connection, as into an electrical circuit
  7. Informal to give a share to

cut it

Informal to do or perform satisfactorily or successfully

cut it fine

Informal
  1. to make exact calculations
  2. to make exact distinctions

cut it out

Informal to stop doing what one is doing

cut loose

☆ Informal to act or speak without self-control

cut no ice

☆
Informal to make no impression

cut off

  1. to separate from other parts by cutting; sever
  2. to stop abruptly
  3. to shut off
  4. to break in on; interrupt
  5. to intercept
  6. to disinherit

cut out

  1. to remove by cutting
  2. to leave or take out; remove; omit; eliminate
  3. Informal to eliminate and take the place of (a rival)
  4. to make or form by or as by cutting
  5. Informal to stop running: said of an engine
  6. ☆ Informal to discontinue; stop
  7. Informal fit or suited by nature
  8. Slang to leave abruptly

cut short

to stop abruptly before the end

cut one's teeth on

to learn or use at an early age

cut through

  1. to penetrate or go through by cutting
  2. to go straight through

cut to the chase

☆

Etymology: < cut, , with reference to a scene involving a chase, as in a crime film

Informal to go directly to the essential element, without further preliminaries, delay, etc.

cut up

  1. to cut into pieces
  2. to inflict cuts or lacerations on
  3. Informal
    1. to criticize harshly
    2. to cause to be dejected or distressed
  4. ☆ Slang to clown, joke, etc. to attract attention

make the cut

☆ Informal
to avoid elimination, as in a golf tournament

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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