cut out

What does "cut out" mean?

1. To remove something by cutting
2. To stop doing or using something
3. To stop working suddenly (engine, machine)
4. To exclude someone from something
5. To be suited for something (usually negative)

Examples

• She cut out the article from the newspaper.
• I'm trying to cut out sugar from my diet.
• The engine suddenly cut out on the highway.
• He was cut out of his father's will.
• I'm not cut out for office work.

How to use it

'Cut it out!' is a command to stop doing something annoying. 'Not cut out for something' means not suited for it. Very common expression.

Word order

Object can go between: 'cut the picture out' or after: 'cut out the picture'. 'Be cut out for' is a fixed expression.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• cut off

  To remove something by cutting

• cut down

  To reduce the amount or quantity of something

• cut back

  To reduce spending, production, or consumption

• cut in

  To interrupt someone who is speaking

• cut up

  To cut something into smaller pieces

• cut down on

  To reduce the amount or frequency of something