What are the definitions of “cut out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Exclude.
I'm CUTTING OUT salt from my diet.
- 2When an engine or motor stops.
The car CUT OUT at the traffic lights just as they went green.
- 3Cut a picture or similar from a magazine, etc.
ICUT some pictures OUT to use as visual aids.
- 4Leave quickly.
We'd better CUT OUT, the security men are on the way.
- 5Separate livestock from a group.
They CUT OUT three prime bulls from the herd.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “cut out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb cut out is to remove or exclude something, often with the intention of stopping a particular habit or behavior. For example, it can mean removing unhealthy food from one's diet or stopping a bad habit.
What are the different verb forms of “cut out”?
| Root Verb | cut out |
| Third Person Singular Present | cuts out |
| Present Participle | cutting out |
| Simple Past | cut out |
| Past Participle | cut out |
Example
I need to cut out junk food from my diet.
Example
She cuts out sugar from her coffee.
Example
He is cutting out all processed foods from his meals.
Example
They cut out all distractions while studying.
Example
The unhealthy snacks were cut out of their daily routine.
What kind of phrasal verb is “cut out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“cut out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She cut out all the negative influences from her life.
Example
He cut out the coupon from the newspaper.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“cut out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She cut out all the negative influences from her life.
Example
He cut out the coupon from the newspaper.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “cut out”?
Good things to know
Does “cut out” have an informal or formal tone?
Cut out is generally considered neutral to informal in tone. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the context. For instance, when discussing health or business matters, it can have a more formal tone. However, in most cases, cut out is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
