cut back
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle back
Meanings
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure
Why “back”? Something is prevented from moving, growing, or being expressed. It can also remain available as a backup.
“They've cut back on travel costs.”
“The school cut back on printing.”
Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“They cut back on staff.”
“The shop cut back on weekend hours.”
Don't confuse with
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“They've cut back on travel costs.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
cut down
A contrast learners often mix up
Reduce the amount of something; Fell a tree by cutting at its base; Kill or seriously injure many people quickly
cut off
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove or separate something by cutting; Stop the supply of something like power, water or money; Interrupt someone while they are speaking; Isolate a place or person from others; End a phone call abruptly; Exclude someone from inheriting money
bite back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
choke back
Same back pattern: holding
Suppress an emotion welling up
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drive back
Same back pattern: distance
Force an attacker to retreat
drop back
Same back pattern: distance
Move to a position further behind
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “cut back”.
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