undercut

[ˌʌndərˈkʌt]

undercut Definition

• 1. to sell goods or services at a lower price than a competitor
• 2. to weaken or damage something, especially someone's position or power
• 3. to cut away the part of something that is underneath

Using undercut: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "undercut" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The company undercut its competitors by offering a lower price.

• Example

  The scandal undercut the politician's credibility.

• Example

  The river has undercut the bank, causing it to collapse.

undercut Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for undercut

• weaken
• subvert
• devalue
• depreciate
• undermine

Antonyms for undercut

• overprice
• overestimate
• overvalue
• strengthen
• support

Idioms Using undercut

• undercut someone's feet

  to take away someone's support or advantage

  Example

  The new policy undercut the union's bargaining power, leaving them with little leverage.

• undercut one's own position

  to weaken one's own position or argument

  Example

  By admitting his mistake, he inadvertently undercut his own position in the debate.

• undercut the market

  to sell goods or services at a price lower than the prevailing market price

  Example

  The company was accused of undercutting the market and driving smaller competitors out of business.

Phrases with undercut

• undercutting prices

  selling goods or services at a lower price than competitors

  Example

  The store is undercutting prices to attract more customers.

• undercutting competition

  outperforming competitors by offering better quality or lower prices

  Example

  The company is undercutting the competition with its innovative products.

• undercutting edge

  the sharp edge of a cutting tool that is angled downward

  Example

  The scissors have an undercutting edge that makes them ideal for cutting fabric.

Origins of undercut

from 'under' + 'cut', probably influenced by Middle Low German 'underkutten'

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Summary: undercut in Brief

The verb 'undercut' [ˌʌndərˈkʌt] has three main meanings. Firstly, it refers to selling goods or services at a lower price than a competitor, as in 'The company undercut its competitors by offering a lower price.' Secondly, it means to weaken or damage something, especially someone's position or power, as in 'The scandal undercut the politician's credibility.' Finally, it can mean to cut away the part of something that is underneath, as in 'The river has undercut the bank, causing it to collapse.' The phrase 'undercutting prices' refers to selling goods or services at a lower price than competitors, while the idiom 'undercut someone's feet' means to take away someone's support or advantage.