cut short

cut (someone or something) short

1. To interrupt someone so that they stop talking. I was sick of listening to her story so I finally cut her short.
2. To end something unexpectedly or abruptly before its planned conclusion. No one was disappointed when the principal's microphone came unplugged, cutting his speech short.
See also: cut, short
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut short

Abbreviate, stop abruptly, as in The thunderstorm cut short our picnic, or She cut her short, saying she'd already heard the story of their breakup. Shakespeare used this term to mean "put a sudden end to someone's life": "Rather than bloody war shall cut them short" ( 2 Henry VI, 4:4), a less common usage today. The broader usage dates from the mid-1600s.
See also: cut, short
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cut short

To stop before the end; abbreviate.
See also: cut, short
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • cut (someone or something) short
  • cut somebody short
  • cut something short
  • break in on (someone or something)
  • burst in
  • don't mind (someone)
  • don't mind me
  • barge
  • barge in
  • barge in on
References in periodicals archive
Tareen, who had left for London before Eid, told reporters at the Lahore airport that he cut short his visit on Alvi's request.
Tareen reaches Pakistan to 'support' Alvi
He said, 'the governor will cut short his vacation and address the security challenge occasioned by the ongoing killing of Benue people by armed herdsmen.'
Benue killings: Ortom cuts vacation short
A greater proportion (70%) said a "super" two thirds majority should be required in the Dail to cut short a fixed term, with 84% believing it should also require the approval of the president.
Cut parliamentary terms to 4yrs
She was given an extension by the board earlier and now she has sought to cut short her reappointment to the end of December 2018.
Axis Bank CEO to quit
ISLAMABAD -- Hindu guru and Art of Living (AOL) founder, Sri Ravi Shankar, in Indian Occupied Kashmir, had to cut short his speech and leave the venue after pro-freedom and anti-India slogans were raised by the audience at International Convention Center in Srinagar.
Pro-freedom slogans forced Ravi to leave speech
THE first aid delivery in weeks to reach the besieged eastern suburbs of Damascus was cut short after Syrian government forces began shelling the area while aid workers were still inside, a local council said.
Violence halts rare Ghouta aid convoy; WORLD BULLETINS
Loftus-Cheek intends to stay positive despite the setback, which cut short his second England appearance during the goalless draw against Brazil at Wembley.
Loftus-Cheek could miss Blues game after injury during England draw
The 58-year-old Rangers legend broke his silence in a family statement which said former Army officer Chris's life had been "tragically cut short" at the age of 35.
Terry tells of grief for tragic son
Summary: Three-time PM is known as a protege of former military dictator Zia-ul-Haq and has twice forced his way back into office after his tenure was cut short
Nawaz Sharif no stranger to political setbacks
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka's return from maternity leave was cut short by young Croatian Ana Konjuh at the Mallorca Open.
Azarenka's return cut short in Mallorca
April 22, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Kiir on Friday cut short a three-day visit to Kapeota, a town in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state and returned to the capital, Juba.
S. Sudan president cuts short 3-day visit over security issues
Turkey has denied Bulgarian media reports suggesting that the term of appointment of its consul general Alper Aktas in Plovdiv was allegedly cut short.
Turkey Denies Reported 'Recall' of Consul from Bulgaria's Plovdiv
Dame Zaha Hadid | Architect cuts short interview ARCHITECT Dame Zaha Hadid cut short a stormy interview to mark her becoming the first woman to win the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture.
Architect cuts short interview; RaDIO
FANS who bought tickets through an online seller for a Sir Tom Jones concert cut short by a power failure have been told they will not get a refund.
Online seller says 'no refunds'
FURIOUS fans of Sir Tom Jones have demanded their money back after a concert costing up to PS95 a ticket was cut short.
Tom Jones fans demand refunds after 'technical issues' cut concert short