cut down

Related to cut down: cut down to size

cut down

1. Literally, to chop something down, as of a tree. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Unfortunately, we'll have to cut down that old tree because the inspector thinks it could fall on our house in a bad storm.

2. To insult or disparage someone, often publicly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is typically used between "cut" and "down." I can't believe she cut me down in front of the entire department just because I was a few minutes late to the meeting.

3. To undermine or debunk something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Confirmation of the suspect's alibi cut my theory down pretty quickly.

4. To reduce something. My doctor told me that I need to cut down on eating fried foods in order to improve my cholesterol. If the school board cuts down on funding for the arts, then what will become of the theater program?

5. To remove the extras or adornments from something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." I like the apartment, but I need to cut down the decorations a little—it's much too fancy for me.

6. To kill someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Oh, I'll cut down that informant before he speaks to the police again, don't worry. So many of our young men and women have been cut down by this needless war.

See also: cut, down

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut someone down (to size)

and take someone down (to size)

Fig. to make a person humble; to put one in one's place. John's critical remarks really cut me down to size. Jane is too conceited. I think her new boss will take her down to size.

See also: cut, down

cut someone down

to kill someone with a weapon, such as a sword, or with gunfire, etc. The bandits cut the bystanders down and fled. The gunman cut down an innocent pedestrian.

See also: cut, down

cut something down

1. Lit. to chop something down; to saw or cut at something until it is felled. Stop cutting the banners down! Don't cut down that tree!

2. Fig. to destroy someone's argument; to destroy someone's position or standing. The lawyer cut the testimony down quickly. The lawyer cut down the witness's story.

3. to reduce the price of something. They cut the prices down to sell the goods off quickly. I wish they would cut down the prices in this store.

See also: cut, down

cut down (on something)

to reduce the amount of something or of doing something; to use or buy less of something. You will have to cut down on the time it takes you to get ready in the morning. The doctor told him to cut down on his drinking.

See also: cut, down

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cut down

1. Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they crossed the field. [Early 1800s]

2. Also, cut down on. Reduce, decrease, as in I want to cut down my caffeine intake, or We have to cut down on our expenses. [Mid-1800s]

3. cut down to size; knock down to size. Reduce the self-importance of, humble, as in He's so arrogant-I wish someone would cut him down to size, or She really got knocked down to size when her class ranking slipped. [Early 1900s]

See also: cut, down

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cut down

1. To chop something down: The loggers cut down trees from the forest. I cut the overgrown shrubs down.

2. To reduce the amount of something done, used, or taken: I need to cut down on shopping this month. They need to cut their drinking down. We've been gambling too much—we need to cut down.

3. To reduce something, as a price: They're cutting down all the prices at the mall. The company is cutting bonuses down this year.

4. To kill or incapacitate someone: The troops were cut down in battle. Before there were vaccines, many people were cut down by polio.

5. To belittle or discredit someone or something, especially in front of others: The boss cut me down in front of my subordinates. The prosecutor cut down the defendant's testimony.

6. To alter something by removing extra or additional fittings: The shop cut down my car for racing. Let's buy those old trucks and cut them down for work on the back roads.

See also: cut, down

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

See also:

thrust
cut something to the bone
cut to the bone
cut away
cut down to
cut (something) down to (something)
cut (someone or something) to ribbons
cut something to ribbons
cut to ribbons
cut eyes at

References in periodicals archive

A spokesman for British Waterways confirmed a sycamore tree had been cut down on safety grounds.

Resident's anger at loss of historic tree

"We believe that there are certain interests behind this decision, as it makes more sense to bring down a wall than cut down trees.

Greens blast tree cull in Fasoulla

Markham said most homeowners realized their trees might eventually become infested and, in many of the cases, would rather have them cut down now, rather than have to put up with annual inspections by officials.

Beetle tree cutting halted; Program to resume after all homeowners checked

Men aged 35 to 44 were the most likely (13%) to give up or cut down on alcohol.

WALES: Men less likely to cut down booze

We made little habitat piles for squirrels out of the dead wood and we made walking sticks and held small competitions on how many trees we could cut down,' Tracy Jones explained.

A cut above the average day out; Dagmar Winther reports on a free-for-all coppicing project at Kingsbury Water Park

Only sawdust remains as Juan Gonzalez (bottom, right) rests Thursday afternoon after he and a crew cut down and cleared away the trees on the mall.

Clearing the way for Broadway

They have successfully avoided being cut down, blown around, or hit by a car.

A majestic responsibility

You could spend a lifetime on the quest for a spotless household, but the afore-mentioned products and companies should cut down considerably on that timeframe.

Mean and Green

Now she's desperate to get her 13-year-old son to cut down on his mobile calls as she's worried about potential health risks.

One mother's worries

When a sensor detects vibrations, three actuators will push and pull against the massive weight to cut down on the tower's overall movement.

Calming bad vibes: from microscopes to skyscrapers, smart structures help control vibration

Among the items being discussed to cut down on the number of cases being filed is a "modest" payment for putting in a grievance against a property owner that would have to be approved by the State legislature.

This is no longer 'business as usual.' (rent administration in New York State)(Profile of the Week: State DHCR Commissioner Joseph H. Holland)

By adopting modern farming techniques the water use may be cut down by almost 50 per cent without compromising the yield, says Zahid Saleem, head of Pepsico Pakistan's agronomy wing.

40pc water shortage bodes ill for wheat

"Of course I am so sorry that the trees were cut down. It was not easy to make up my mind on such a decision.

Yalova mayor defends decision to fell trees, says it was to save lives

GARDAI have launched an investigation after a massive cross at the summit of Ireland's tallest mountain was cut down.

Vandals cut cross on Ireland's highest peak

词组	cut down
释义	cut down Related to cut down: cut down to size cut down 1. Literally, to chop something down, as of a tree. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Unfortunately, we'll have to cut down that old tree because the inspector thinks it could fall on our house in a bad storm. 2. To insult or disparage someone, often publicly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is typically used between "cut" and "down." I can't believe she cut me down in front of the entire department just because I was a few minutes late to the meeting. 3. To undermine or debunk something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Confirmation of the suspect's alibi cut my theory down pretty quickly. 4. To reduce something. My doctor told me that I need to cut down on eating fried foods in order to improve my cholesterol. If the school board cuts down on funding for the arts, then what will become of the theater program? 5. To remove the extras or adornments from something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." I like the apartment, but I need to cut down the decorations a little—it's much too fancy for me. 6. To kill someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "down." Oh, I'll cut down that informant before he speaks to the police again, don't worry. So many of our young men and women have been cut down by this needless war. See also: cut, down Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. cut someone down (to size) and take someone down (to size) Fig. to make a person humble; to put one in one's place. John's critical remarks really cut me down to size. Jane is too conceited. I think her new boss will take her down to size. See also: cut, down cut someone down to kill someone with a weapon, such as a sword, or with gunfire, etc. The bandits cut the bystanders down and fled. The gunman cut down an innocent pedestrian. See also: cut, down cut something down 1. Lit. to chop something down; to saw or cut at something until it is felled. Stop cutting the banners down! Don't cut down that tree! 2. Fig. to destroy someone's argument; to destroy someone's position or standing. The lawyer cut the testimony down quickly. The lawyer cut down the witness's story. 3. to reduce the price of something. They cut the prices down to sell the goods off quickly. I wish they would cut down the prices in this store. See also: cut, down cut down (on something) to reduce the amount of something or of doing something; to use or buy less of something. You will have to cut down on the time it takes you to get ready in the morning. The doctor told him to cut down on his drinking. See also: cut, down McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. cut down 1. Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they crossed the field. [Early 1800s] 2. Also, cut down on. Reduce, decrease, as in I want to cut down my caffeine intake, or We have to cut down on our expenses. [Mid-1800s] 3. cut down to size; knock down to size. Reduce the self-importance of, humble, as in He's so arrogant-I wish someone would cut him down to size, or She really got knocked down to size when her class ranking slipped. [Early 1900s] See also: cut, down The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. cut down v. 1. To chop something down: The loggers cut down trees from the forest. I cut the overgrown shrubs down. 2. To reduce the amount of something done, used, or taken: I need to cut down on shopping this month. They need to cut their drinking down. We've been gambling too much—we need to cut down. 3. To reduce something, as a price: They're cutting down all the prices at the mall. The company is cutting bonuses down this year. 4. To kill or incapacitate someone: The troops were cut down in battle. Before there were vaccines, many people were cut down by polio. 5. To belittle or discredit someone or something, especially in front of others: The boss cut me down in front of my subordinates. The prosecutor cut down the defendant's testimony. 6. To alter something by removing extra or additional fittings: The shop cut down my car for racing. Let's buy those old trucks and cut them down for work on the back roads. See also: cut, down The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. See also: thrust cut something to the bone cut to the bone cut away cut down to cut (something) down to (something) cut (someone or something) to ribbons cut something to ribbons cut to ribbons cut eyes at References in periodicals archive A spokesman for British Waterways confirmed a sycamore tree had been cut down on safety grounds. Resident's anger at loss of historic tree "We believe that there are certain interests behind this decision, as it makes more sense to bring down a wall than cut down trees. Greens blast tree cull in Fasoulla Markham said most homeowners realized their trees might eventually become infested and, in many of the cases, would rather have them cut down now, rather than have to put up with annual inspections by officials. Beetle tree cutting halted; Program to resume after all homeowners checked Men aged 35 to 44 were the most likely (13%) to give up or cut down on alcohol. WALES: Men less likely to cut down booze We made little habitat piles for squirrels out of the dead wood and we made walking sticks and held small competitions on how many trees we could cut down,' Tracy Jones explained. A cut above the average day out; Dagmar Winther reports on a free-for-all coppicing project at Kingsbury Water Park Only sawdust remains as Juan Gonzalez (bottom, right) rests Thursday afternoon after he and a crew cut down and cleared away the trees on the mall. Clearing the way for Broadway They have successfully avoided being cut down, blown around, or hit by a car. A majestic responsibility You could spend a lifetime on the quest for a spotless household, but the afore-mentioned products and companies should cut down considerably on that timeframe. Mean and Green Now she's desperate to get her 13-year-old son to cut down on his mobile calls as she's worried about potential health risks. One mother's worries When a sensor detects vibrations, three actuators will push and pull against the massive weight to cut down on the tower's overall movement. Calming bad vibes: from microscopes to skyscrapers, smart structures help control vibration Among the items being discussed to cut down on the number of cases being filed is a "modest" payment for putting in a grievance against a property owner that would have to be approved by the State legislature. This is no longer 'business as usual.' (rent administration in New York State)(Profile of the Week: State DHCR Commissioner Joseph H. Holland) By adopting modern farming techniques the water use may be cut down by almost 50 per cent without compromising the yield, says Zahid Saleem, head of Pepsico Pakistan's agronomy wing. 40pc water shortage bodes ill for wheat "Of course I am so sorry that the trees were cut down. It was not easy to make up my mind on such a decision. Yalova mayor defends decision to fell trees, says it was to save lives GARDAI have launched an investigation after a massive cross at the summit of Ireland's tallest mountain was cut down. Vandals cut cross on Ireland's highest peak
随便看	stick to the/(one's) ribs stick to the ribs stick to the script stick to your guns stick to your knitting stick to your last stick to your ribs stick two fingers up at (someone or something) stickum stick up stick up for stick up for (oneself) stick up for (someone or something) stick up (one's) ass stick with stick with it stick with (someone or something) sticky sticky fingers stick your bib in stick your chin out stick your neck out stick your oar in sticky wicket, (to bat on) a Stick ’em up!