cut one's losses

cut (one's) losses

To stop an action that has resulted in loss or failure or leave a failing situation before it gets worse. Man, this venture is going nowhere—I think we're better off cutting our losses than agreeing to rent this space for another year. Don't dwell on the failure of your invention—cut your losses and move on, buddy. If you don't trust your business partner, cut your losses and get out now!

See also: cut, loss

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cut one's losses

Withdraw from a losing situation, as in They decided to close down the unprofitable branch and cut their losses. This expression uses cut in the sense of "reduce" (also see cut down, def. 2).

See also: cut, loss

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cut one’s losses

tv. to do something to stop a loss of something. I knew I had to do something to cut my losses, but it was almost too late.

See also: cut, loss

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.