cut off
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle off
Meanings
Remove or separate something by cutting
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“He cut the top off the bottle.”
“She cut off a strip of cloth.”
Stop the supply of something like power, water or money
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“They cut off our electricity.”
“The company cut off the water.”
Interrupt someone while they are speaking
“Don't cut me off. Let me finish.”
“The host cut off the caller.”
“The signal cut off mid-sentence.”
Isolate a place or person from others
“The village was cut off by snow.”
“The island was cut off by the storm.”
End a phone call abruptly
“We were cut off mid-call.”
“The line cut off during the interview.”
Exclude someone from inheriting money
“His father cut him off without a penny.”
“Her aunt cut her off in the will.”
Don't confuse with
Cut off means remove or separate something by cutting. Cut in means interrupt a conversation suddenly.
Test yourself
“He cut the top off the bottle.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
cut in
A contrast learners often mix up
Interrupt a conversation suddenly
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Take on more than you can handle ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Close off an area or route to prevent access; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
End a relationship, talk or activity suddenly; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; End diplomatic, business or personal contact; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
Practice “cut off” in Sink In
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