cut out[verb]Synonyms: stop, cease, give up, refrain from
[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
cut out phrasal verb (
see also cut)
1. REMOVE SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting round it:
The cancerous cells had to be cut out.cut something ↔ out of Billy showed me the article he’d cut out of the magazine.2. CUT A SHAPE cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth etc:
The children were cutting out squares from the scraps of material.3. STOP SOMETHING HAPPENING cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing:
The idea behind these forms is to cut out fraud. A catalytic converter will cut out 90% of carbon monoxide emissions.4. STOP DOING/EATING SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it might be bad for your health:
The current advice to pregnant women is to cut out alcohol.5. FROM WRITING cut something ↔ out to remove something from a piece of writing, especially because it might offend people:
Cut out the bit about racial prejudice.6. cut it/that out spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
Hey, you guys, cut it out – Mom’s trying to get some sleep.7. NOT INVOLVE SOMEBODY cut somebody ↔ out to stop someone from doing something or being involved in something:
The new rules will cut out 25% of people who were previously eligible to vote.8. be cut out for something (
also be cut out to be something)
[usually in questions and negatives] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity:
In the end, I decided I wasn’t cut out for the army. Are you sure you’re really cut out to be a teacher?9. ENGINE if an engine or machine cuts out, it suddenly stops working:
The engine cut out halfway across the lake.10. LIGHT/VIEW cut something ↔ out to prevent light, sound etc from reaching somewhere:
You’ll need sunglasses that will cut out harmful UV rays from the sun.11. cut somebody out to prevent someone from getting something, especially your money after your death:
Em’s father decided to cut her out of his will. ⇒
have your work cut out at
work2(15), ⇒
cut out the middleman at
middleman [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
cut out cut out1 v.,
slang 1. To stop; quit.
All right, now
■ let's cut out the talking. He was teasing the dog and Joe told him to cut it out. Compare: BREAK UP
3.
2. To displace in favor.
Tony cut Ed out with Mary. John cut out two or three other men in trying for a better job.cut out2 adj. 1. Made ready; given for action; facing.
Mary agreed to stay with her teacher's children all day; she did not know what was cut out for her. ■ Often used in the phrase "have one's work cut out for one."
If Mr. Perkins wants to become a senator, he has his work cut out fur him. 2. Suited to; fitted for.
Warren seemed to be cut out for the law. It was clear very early that Fred was cut out to he a doctor. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲