cut back

Related to cut back: call for, at least, leaner, I'd, swayed

cut back

1. To trim or prune something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "back." I think that cutting back this part of the bush will bring more light into the house.
2. To reduce or decrease something. My doctor told me that I need to cut back on eating fried foods in order to improve my cholesterol. If the school board cuts back funding for the arts, then what will become of the theater program?
See also: back, cut
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut something back

to prune plants; to reduce the size of plants, bushes, etc. Let's cut these bushes back. They're getting in the way. Don't cut back my roses!
See also: back, cut

cut back (on something)

to reduce the use, amount, or cost of something. You are all going to have to cut back on water usage. You simply must cut back on office expenses.
See also: back, cut

cut back

to turn back; to reverse direction. Suddenly, the bull cut back in our direction and began chasing us. The road cuts back about a mile ahead, and it goes west again.
See also: back, cut
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cut back

1. Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It's time we cut back these bushes. [1860s]
2. Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending, or We have to cut back production. [c. 1940] Also see cut to the bone.
See also: back, cut
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cut back

v.
1. To shorten something, as a plant, by cutting; prune something: If I don't cut back the weeds, they will choke the flowers. Let's cut the vines back.
2. To reduce or decrease the amount of something: The factory cut back production because of budget problems. The company cut salaries back this year.
See also: back, cut
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • choke back
  • chop back
  • brush back
  • bring back
  • claw back
  • buck off
  • echo back to
  • be/go back to square one
  • come back and see us
  • back to square one
References in periodicals archive
"Now they are coming at me, asking me to cut back the ivy when they've ignored all my contact with them to try and make the area a better place.
Woman facing [pounds sterling]400 fine unless she cuts back her overgrown bush; Sharon Kassin says she can't because birds are nesting in her ivy bush
Then I head to the back and cut back only those perennials that suffered from disease or insect damage and a couple self-seeding offenders.
To cut back or not to cut back a that is the question
If the politicians do plan to cut back further, then Lord help us if and when the next conflict arises.
Save our forces; letters
The participants averaged 3,600 mg of sodium a day when they entered the study, so they cut back to 2,600 to 2,800 mg a day during the first 1 1/2 to 3 years of the study (intakes weren't measured afterwards).
Cut salt, cut heart attacks
A total of 70 percent of retirees say they can always cut back on their lifestyle if it looks like they might use up all their savings, the survey found.
Study: workers 'overly confident' in managing retirement risk: four out of five workers say they can cut back on their lifestyle if savings dry up, but it's also an attitude that could get them into trouble
We're also being careful about combining trips in the car to make being out really count." Among our shoppers who will cut back on spending this holiday season to make up for rising gas and utility prices: Under 35 33% will cut back Age 35-49 24% will cut back Age 50-74 21% will cut back Age 75+ 18% will cut back
Holiday spending surprise
"When the offer came in, we knew that there are not that many potential buyers out there, and we decided that this is a good time to cut back our publishing activities," Johnson told us.
HCPro extends healthcare reach with acquisition of Business Word's four flagship newsletters
If you cut back, your body shows signs of caffeine withdrawal, like headaches, crankiness and sleepiness.
Energize your life! How to rev up your mind and body: learn tips and tricks for all-day energy
We've had to cut back again this season and it's been difficult, although we still have some good players.
Football: CLUBS CAN CASH IN ON THIRD SPOT
"I cut back to two centers--the two largest--and I feel like I have much more control over my life."
Entrepreneurship through homeownership: Kara Turner used real estate as a foundation for her business
If Mike keys Tailback and starts to flow, we run under him with a slight cut back, Fig.
Blending: your offensive package
US Airways is reportedly examining whether it may have to cut back its fleet capacity in order to cope with lower demand for air travel.
US Airways to examine fleet capacity
The Finnish stock exchange HEX said today (31 March) that it would cut back evening trading by half an hour.
HEX cuts back evening trading by half an hour
With team practice or games nearly every day after school, students are often forced to cut back on their time in dance classes and they could miss out on essential training.
Is drill team really dance?
The three major parties--the Social Democrats, the Social Liberals, and the center-right Liberal Party--fell inline, arguing only over how much to cut back immigration.
Rotten Denmark: Immigration trends. (Citings)