Amuse-bouche: Making a living is the same as making a killing.

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Today’s Wonderful Words: “phrasal verbs.”

Definition: a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.

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Here are some phrasal verbs that use the verb “to cut.”

Cut Across

Meaning: To go across a place rather than around it, to make the trip faster by taking a shortcut.

Example: “Let’s cut across the park on the way home from school – it’ll be faster.”

Cut Back (On) / Cut Down (On)

Meaning 1: To reduce 

Example 1: “We’re cutting back on entertainment in order to save up for our vacation. Instead of going to the movies once a week, we’re going once a month.”

Meaning 2: To consume less

Example 2: “I’m on a diet – I’m cutting down on fast food.”

Note: Cut down can also be used in the literal sense, regarding trees.

Cut In

Meaning 1: To enter a conversation by interrupting

Example 1: “I couldn’t have a serious conversation with Barry because my sister kept cutting in.”

Meaning 2: When two people are dancing, and a third person interrupts them to dance with one of them.

Example 2: “May I cut in? I’d like to dance with Joanna.”

Meaning 3: To “cut in line” (often reduced to “cut”) is to enter a line ahead of other people who have been waiting longer.

Example 3: “That’s no fair – you can’t cut! We’ve been waiting forever. You have to start at the back of the line like everyone else.”

Cut Out

Meaning 1: To remove something (like a picture) from something bigger (like a magazine).

Example 1: “I cut the article out of the newspaper.”

Meaning 2: To “cut someone out” is to exclude them.

Example 2: “Helen cut her ex-boyfriend out of her life. She doesn’t even want to be friends with him.”

Meaning 3: When an engine, motor, or other machine stops.

Example 3: “I was terrified when the plane’s engines suddenly cut out.”

Cut It Out!

Meaning: Say “cut it out” when you want to tell another person to stop their bad behavior.

Example: If your children are running around the house and making lots of noise, you can say, “Cut it out! I’m trying to take a nap!”

Cut Off

Meaning 1: To remove something from something bigger

Example 1: “I cut the tags off my new clothing.”

Meaning 2: When the telephone connection disconnects accidentally

Example 2: “We were cut off in the middle of our conversation.”

Meaning 3: To stop the supply of something

Example 3: “Our electricity was cut off after we didn’t pay the bill for 3 months.”

Meaning 4: To interrupt

Example 4: “I tried to explain about the problem, but she cut me off and said she didn’t want to hear about it.”

Meaning 5: To drive in front of another car suddenly

Example 5: “He got angry when another car cut him off on the highway.”

Cut Up

Meaning 1: To cut (with scissors) into smaller pieces.

Meaning 2: To joke or play around.

Example 2: “Boys! Stop cutting up and focus on these math problems!”

Cut (someone some) Slack

Meaning: To allow one more latitude or freedom than usual, to be more lenient with someone.

Example: “Oh, you know I never normally make requests like this. Cut me some slack.”

Cut (someone) Off the Hook

Meaning: To pardon, release, or allow one to escape from blame, responsibility, obligation, or difficulty.

Example: “At first, Sam was suspected of stealing money from the safe, but he was let off the hook after security camera footage showed it was someone else.”

Cut Corners

Meaning: To skip certain steps in order to do something as easily or cheaply as possible, usually to the detriment of the finished product or end result.

Example: “Don’t cut corners on this project—it has to be done thoroughly, no matter the cost.”

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Answer to Saturday’s riddle:

Chicago. The first three words out of seven of chicken is CHI, the first two words out of 3 of cat is CA, and the first two words out of goat is GO. Therefore making, (CHI)(CA)(GO).

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