cord cutter

One who cancels a traditional cable subscription and replaces it with other entertainment sources, such as streaming services, a la carte programming, etc. I never thought I'd be a cord-cutter, but once traditional cable got too expensive, I decided to go that route. Joe's one of those cord cutters, so I have no idea how to work his remote or TV. I was going to be a cord cutter, but the maddening number of streaming services these days has only made cable more appealing.

cord-cutting

The act of canceling a traditional cable subscription and replacing it with other entertainment sources, such as streaming services, a la carte programming, etc. I never thought I'd find cord-cutting to be a good idea, but once my cable bill got high enough, I was all for it. I'm wary of cord-cutting. Doesn't it mean you have to give up your basic news channels? I was intrigued by cord-cutting, until there came to be a maddening number of streaming services.

cut the cord

1. To strike out on one's own from an overly involved or suffocating relationship, usually between a parent and child. A shortened version of the phrase "cut the umbilical cord." I love my mom, I truly do, but she used to call me five times a day! I had to cut the cord. Geez, Pete, you're 40 years old. It's time to cut the cord and stop living with your parents! I'm worried that my mother-in-law will never cut the cord. My husband's a grown man but still does every little thing she asks!

2. slang To cancel one's cable service. Dude, I finally cut the cord and I don't miss it at all. I never thought I'd cut the cord, but once traditional cable got too expensive, I decided to go that route. I was going to cut the cord, but the maddening number of streaming services these days has only made cable more appealing.

See also: cord, cut

cut the umbilical cord

To strike out on one's own from an overly involved or suffocating relationship, usually between a parent and child. I love my mom, I truly do, but she used to call me five times a day! I had to cut the umbilical cord! Geez Pete, you're 40 years old! It's time to cut the umbilical cord and stop living with your parents! I'm worried that my mother-in-law will never cut the umbilical cord. My husband's a grown man but still does every little thing she asks!

See also: cord, cut

cut the umbilical cord

cut the cord

If you cut the umbilical cord or cut the cord, you start acting independently rather than continuing to rely on the person or thing that you have always relied on. Both nations are eager to cut the umbilical cord tying them to the federation in its current shape. Note: An unborn baby's umbilical cord is the tube connecting it to its mother, through which it receives oxygen and nutrients.

See also: cord, cut

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

cut the cord

cease to rely on someone or something influential or supportive and begin to act independently.

The image here is of the cutting of a baby's umbilical cord at birth.

See also: cord, cut

cords

n. a basketball net. They cut the cords down after the game.