cut someone/something loose

cut (someone or something) loose

1. To end a personal or professional relationship with someone, often abruptly. A: "Wait, they fired you?" B: "Yes! They just cut me loose with no explanation!" If he keeps calling me at all hours of the night, I'm going to have to cut him loose, I mean it!
2. To free or remove someone or something from something, often by literally cutting. Luckily, the rescue crew was able to cut the girl loose from her wrecked car and save her life. When the hook got caught on the net, we had to cut it loose.
See also: cut, loose

cut (someone or something) loose from (something)

1. To free or remove someone or something from something, often by literally cutting. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "loose." Luckily, the rescue crew was able to cut the girl loose from her wrecked car and save her life. When the hook got caught, we had to cut it loose from the net.
2. To remove someone from a group or organization of some kind. We had to cut Greg loose from the study group—he just wasn't doing the work. We've had to cut a few people loose from the staff this year to reduce costs.
See also: cut, loose

cut loose

1. To behave in a relaxed or uninhibited manner. Come on, we're on vacation—it's time to cut loose!
2. To leave a particular place or area. The robbers cut loose when they heard the approaching sirens.
3. To leave or separate from someone or something. We need to cut loose from that guy before his scandalous behavior becomes public knowledge. Come on, you're 18 now—it's time to cut loose and go to college.
4. To relinquish or release something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "loose." That technology is so outdated now that we should really cut it loose.
See also: cut, loose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cut someone/something loose

COMMON If you cut a person or organization loose, you get rid of them, especially by no longer employing them or controlling them. The company is about to be cut loose from the state on which it has so long depended. He could not believe that the firm he has served for so long would cut him loose. Note: You can also say that a person or an organization cuts loose if they become free from the influence or authority of other people. He's cut loose from this business except, possibly, where James is concerned.
See also: cut, loose, someone, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • cut (someone or something) loose
  • cut loose
  • abortive action
  • pull the rug
  • pull the rug (out) from under (someone)
  • pull the rug (out) from under (someone's) feet
  • pull the rug from under
  • pull the rug from under someone/something
  • pull the rug out
  • pull the rug out from under