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cutthroat
PHRASAL VERBS
cut across sthg. phr v [T] 1 to take a shorter way across (a field, corner etc) 2 to go beyond or across the limits of: a new political grouping that cuts across party lines
cut back phr v 1 [T[cut sthg. ⇔ back]] to cut (a plant) close to the stem; PRUNE 2 [(on); T(= cut sthg. ⇔ back)] to reduce (an amount spent, produced etc): We oppose any plans to cut back (on) the education budget. → see also CUTBACK
cut down phr v 1 [T[cut sthg. ⇔ down]] to bring down by cutting: to cut down a tree 2 [T[cut sbdy. ⇔ down]] to knock down, wound, or kill (someone), especially in a cruel and unjust way: Several soldiers were cut down by the machine-gun fire. | He was cut down in his prime. (=killed at the best time of life) 3 [(on); T(= cut sthg. ⇔ down)] to reduce (an amount done, eaten etc): I haven't given up drinking but I'm cutting down. | The doctor told me to cut down (on) smoking. 4 [T[cut sthg. ⇔ down]] to reduce the length of (a piece of clothing): If you cut down these trousers they'll fit your daughter. 5 cut someone down to size infml to show someone to be less good or important than they think they are
cut in phr v infml 1 [(on)] to interrupt someone who is talking: I'm sorry to cut in on your conversation, but... 2 [(on)] to drive into a space between cars in a dangerous way: You nearly caused a crash by cutting in (on me) like that! 3 [(on)] (of a machine) to begin to operate when needed: The temperature rose, and the fridge suddenly cut in. 4 [(on)] to stop two people dancing in order to replace one of them 5 [T[cut sbdy. ⇔ in]] to include (someone) in a profitable situation: If you'll work on Sunday I'll cut you in for half the take.
cut off phr v [T[cut sbdy./sthg. ⇔ off]] 1 to separate by cutting; SEVER: Her little finger was cut off in an accident at the factory. 2 to disconnect or discontinue: We were cut off in the middle of our conversation. (=the telephone was disconnected) | They had their electricity cut off because they didn't pay the bill. | The President decided to cut off foreign aid to these countries. 3 to block off or surround so that further movement out or in is impossible: The soldiers were cut off from the main part of the army. | [fig.] Mary felt cut off from her friends when we moved. 4 to take away from (a person) the right to have your property when you are dead; DISINHERIT: If you marry that man I'll cut you off without a penny! (=leave you with no money) 5 cut off one's nose to spite one's face to take action, because you are angry, that results in damage to yourself → see also CUTOFF
cut out phr v 1 [T[off] (cut sthg. ⇔ out)] to remove by cutting: She cut the advertisement out of the newspaper. 2 [T[cut sthg. ⇔ out)] to make by cutting: to cut out a dress 3 [T[cut sthg. ⇔ out)] infml to leave out; stop (especially a harmful activity): I must cut out cigarettes/going to bed late. | I like your article, but would you cut out the reference to the Kennedys? 4 [!] (of a machine) to stop suddenly: The engine keeps cutting out when I go up hills. 5 cut it/that out infml to stop it: The children were fighting so their mother told them to cut it out or go to bed. 6 cut out for something/to do something (usually in negatives) naturally well suited for something: I'm just not cut out for city life. 7 have one's work cut out (for one) infml to have a lot of work to do: They'll have their work cut out if they want to build the dam in six months. → see also CUTOUT
cut up phr v [T(= cut sbdy./sthg. ⇔ up)] 1 to cut into little pieces: a machine for cutting up vegetables 2 [usually pass.] infml to make very sad and upset: Alice was really cut up when her friend died. 3 [!] AmE infml to misbehave in a way that is wild and difficult to control: The students started cutting up as soon as the teacher left the room. → see also CUTUP
cut² n 1 the result of cutting; an opening or wound: a cut in the cloth | How did you get that cut on your hand? 2 a) something obtained by cutting, especially a piece of meat: cuts of fresh lamb → see also COLD CUTS b) especially AmE a CUTTING 3 [(in)] a planned reduction in size, amount etc: Congress is strongly opposed to cuts in military spending/public services. | tax cuts 4 [(of)] infml a share: to take a 50% cut of the profits 5 the act of cutting (=dividing) a pile of playing cards in two before starting to play 6 the style in which clothes are made or a person's hair is shaped: the cut of a suit | a fashionable cut 7 a quick sharp stroke in cricket, tennis etc 8 material left out of a written or filmed work: The author/producer agreed to all the cuts we made. 9 the process or product of editing (EDIT) a film: The director insisted on overseeing the final cut. 10 a cut above infml noticeably better than; of higher quality or rank than: She thinks she's a cut above other people. 11 the cut of someone's jib BrE infml, old-fash someone's manner or appearance: I don't like the cut of his jib. 12 the unkindest cut (of all) quote a slightly changed phrase from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. It concerns the knife wound given to Caesar by Brutus, whom Caesar had thought was his friend. This expression is now used, especially in newspapers, about almost any type of cut. People also often change it to the kindest cut (of all). The proper quote is 'This was the most unkindest of all': The title of the documentary was 'Caesarian Birth - The Unkindest Cut?' → see also SHORT CUT
,cut-and-'dried also ,cut-and-'dry adj already settled and unlikely to be changed: a cut-and-dried argument | The result of the election is fairly cut-and-dried. | There is no cut-and-dried solution to the problem.
,cut and 'thrust n [the (of)] especially BrE the methods of arguing or behaving that are typical of any activity that tests skill and ability: the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate
cut·a·way /'kʌtəweɪ/ adj [A] (of a plan, drawing, model etc) having or showing parts cut away or absent, to allow the inside to be seen: Here is a cutaway drawing of a power-generating wind turbine.
cut·back /'kʌtbæk/ n a planned decrease; reduction to an earlier rate: more cutbacks in public expenditure → see also CUT BACK
cute /kju:t/ adj 1 (especially of something or someone small) attractive in an amusing or interesting way: What a cute little baby! | He's the cutest boy in our school. 2 sometimes derog (too) clever; SHREWD: Be careful with him - he's a cute operator: —ly adv —ness n [U]
,cut 'glass n [U] glass (especially bowls or VASES) with patterns cut on it: a cut-glass bowl | My grandmother collects cut glass.
cu·ti·cle /'kju:tɪkəl/ n an outer covering of hard skin, especially round the lower edges of the fingernails and toenails → see picture at HAND
cu·tie /'kju:ti/ n AmE infml a pretty little child, especially a girl: Isn't she a cutie!
cut·lass /'kʌtləs/ n a short sword with a slightly curved blade, as used formerly in the navy or by a PIRATE
cut·ler /'kʌtlər/ n a person who makes or sells knives etc
cut·le·ry /'kʌtləri/ also flatware, silverware AmE — n [U] knives, forks, spoons, and other instruments used for eating: a set of cutlery
cut·let /'kʌtlɪt/ n 1 a small piece of meat for one person, cut with a bone connected to it: lamb cutlets 2 a flat CROQUETTE: vegetarian cutlets
cut·off /'kʌtɒf|-ɔ:f/ n 1 a fixed limit or stopping point: The machine will stop when it reaches its cutoff point. (=when it has worked enough) 2 an apparatus for stopping or controlling the flow of water, gas, steam etc in a pipe → see also CUTOFFS, CUT OFF
cut·offs /'kʌtɒfs|-ɔ:fs/ n [P] especially AmE shorts made by cutting off the legs of JEANS or trousers → see PAIR (USAGE)
cut·out /'kʌtaʊt/ n 1 something that interrupts or disconnects an electric CIRCUIT when a current that is too heavy is passing through: a cutout switch/fuse 2 a figure cut out of wood or paper: a cardboard cutout of George Bush → see also CUT OUT
,cut-'price adj [A] 1 also ,cut 'rate — sold at a price or rate below the standard charge; cheap: cut-price food/petrol | Large industrial users can buy cut-rate electricity. 2 (of a shop) selling goods at reduced prices: a cut-price garage
cut·ter /'kʌtər/ n 1 a) a small fast boat belonging to a larger ship, especially used for moving supplies or passengers to and from the land b) a lightly armed government ship used for preventing smuggling (SMUGGLE) 2 (often in comb.) an instrument used for cutting: a pair of wire-cutters 3 a worker whose job is cutting cloth, glass, stone, metal etc
cut·throat¹ /'kʌlθrəʊt/ adj very fierce, cruel, or unprincipled: cutthroat competition in business