cut
1. verb To stop doing something. You better cut these antics before your father gets home. Cut the eye-rolling, will you? Would you kids cut the complaining and try to enjoy this hike? Please?
2. verb To make a recording of something, usually musical. Our band is going out to LA to cut a demo. How long does it take to cut an album these days? I can't believe we're going to cut a record with such a famous producer!
3. noun A portion of the profits from something, such as a business venture. I better get a cut of this deal—I came up with the original concept! A: "He gets a cut too?" B: "Did he write any part of the song? Then yes, he gets a cut." Once Sarah heard how much money Mel was making at his new software company, she wanted a cut too.
4. noun A single song on an album or other compilation. Here's a cut from their latest record. How do we get one of our cuts into the hands of a DJ? Listen to the cut we made with that famous producer—it sounds incredible!
5. adjective, slang Circumcised. Guys who aren't cut can be self-conscious.
6. adjective, slang Having well-defined muscles, especially the abdominals. Did you see that lifeguard with his shirt off? He's really cut! Tom used to be a skinny little dude, but he spent the summer getting totally cut! Ugh, there are always these cut dudes who strut around the boardwalk with their shirts off, like they're going to impress someone or something.
7. adjective, slang Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really cut! Well, I must have been cut if I got up and did karaoke at the bar! Help him get home, will ya? He started drinking whiskey, and now he's totally cut.
cut up
1. verb To chop something into smaller pieces. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "up." You need to cut up these onions so we can brown them. Dad's outside with his chainsaw cutting up the big branch that fell. Can you cut the cheese into cubes for the charcuterie board?
2. verb To judge or criticize someone or something harshly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "up." I thought I had done a good job on the project, but my boss just cut it up, pointing out every little thing I had overlooked. After I flubbed that easy catch in the outfield, I knew the coach was gonna cut me up back in the dugout. Yikes, Millie's advisers totally cut her thesis up? I hope my advisers aren't as harsh!
3. verb To cause someone to laugh. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "up." His remark cut up the rest of the group, but I just didn't think it was funny. That comedian's stand-up routine really cuts up an audience. Nothing cuts me up faster than my baby's precious laugh.
4. verb To joke or play around. Boys! Stop cutting up and focus on these math problems! Shh! The meeting has started, so stop cutting up! No, with the way those two cut up, they can't sit together, or they'll disrupt the whole class.
5. verb To behave in an angry and perhaps violent manner. In this usage, "up" is typically followed by "rough." Don't leave those guys alone together—they've been known to cut up rough when they disagree with each other. If you're gonna cut up rough with my patrons, I'll have no choice but to toss you out, Burt. Can you separate those two belligerent drunks before they cut up rough?
6. noun One prone to joking or playing around. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated or spelled as a single word. My son is constantly getting in trouble at school because he's such a cut-up. I bet you he's such a cut-up because he's actually insecure. No, those two cutups can't sit together, or they'll disrupt the whole class.
7. adjective Anguished. After the funeral, I was cut up for the rest of the day. Peggy seems awfully cut up. She must have gotten some pretty bad news. I didn't even know she liked that actor, but she is really cut up about his sudden death.
8. adjective, slang Having well-defined abdominal muscles. Did you see that lifeguard with his shirt off? He's totally cut up! Tom used to be a skinny little dude, but he spent the summer getting totally cut up! Ugh, there are always these cut up dudes who strut around the boardwalk with their shirts off, like they're going to impress someone or something.
cuts
slang Well-defined muscles, especially the abdominals. Did you see that lifeguard with his shirt off? His cuts are ridiculous! Tom used to be a skinny little dude, but, wow, he's got some cuts now! Ugh, there are always these dudes who strut around the boardwalk with their shirts off, like they're going to impress someone with their cuts. Barf.
cutting
1. Mean-spirited. Oh, I stopped listening to Drew a long time ago. All he does is make cutting remarks about our family. A: "I hope she's colorblind—if not, it means she picked out that hideous outfit because she thought it looked good." B: "Ouch, that was a pretty cutting assessment." Yeah, I figured those two don't like each other, considering all the cutting asides.
2. Sharp or piercing. I buttoned the collar of my coat against the cutting wind. Ah! What is that cutting sound, and why aren't dogs the only ones who can hear it? I do not miss the cutting winter winds of the Northeast now that I live in Southern California!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.