Commonly confused
Cut back vs Cut down
“Cut back” and “Cut down” look alike but pull in different directions. Here is what each one means, with examples — and the difference that learners most often miss.
The key difference
Cut back means reduce sharply. Cut down means reduce the amount of something.
cut back
- 1
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure
“They've cut back on travel costs.”
- 2
Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
“They cut back on staff.”
cut down
- 1
Reduce the amount of something
“I'm cutting down on sugar.”
- 2
Fell a tree by cutting at its base
“They cut down the old oak.”
- 3
Kill or seriously injure many people quickly
“Soldiers were cut down by machine guns.”
Stop mixing them up
Sink In turns confusable pairs like this into quick contrast drills, so the right particle becomes automatic.