cut out
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cut it out
To stop doing something. Often used as an imperative. Come on, man, cut it out! We'll totally get in trouble if you keep throwing the ball in the house! If they don't cut it out soon, I'm going to go up there and give them a piece of my mind.
cut out
1. verb To remove a shape or figure from something, such as paper, by cutting. The kids are busy cutting out paper dolls for a craft project.
2. verb To be well-suited for success in a particular area. After being out of school for so long, I don't think that I'm cut out for studying any more.
3. verb To intermittently lose an audio connection, as on the phone. I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you said—the phone cut out for a second.
4. verb To depart very quickly. The robbers cut out when the heard the approaching sirens.
5. verb To eliminate or remove someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "out." Which government-funded programs do you think will be cut out next year?
6. verb To stop doing something. You better cut out these antics before your father gets home. Cut out the eye-rolling, will you?
7. verb To replace something or render it unimportant or unnecessary. I still love to get snail mail, even though email has largely cut out the need for it.
8. verb To determine something before taking any action. In this usage, the phrase is used in the passive. I knew I had my work cut out for me when I saw how messy the play room was.
9. verb To eliminate something, often from one's diet. My doctor told me that I need to cut out fried foods in order to improve my cholesterol.
10. verb To end unexpectedly or abruptly. Aw man, why did the music cut out?
11. verb To stop something from working; to turn something off. When the fuse blew, power to the entire second floor cut out. Look, if you don't pay your bill, the electric company will cut out your electricity.
12. verb To keep someone from obtaining something, often through disinheritance. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cut" and "out." If you continue to fight with your mother like this, she may just cut you out of her will.
13. noun A figure or shape that has been cut out of a larger surface. Often used in reference to a life-size cardboard replica of a person or thing. When used as a noun, the phrase is usually written as one word. I surprised my sister with a cardboard cutout of her favorite singer for her birthday.
cut someone or something out
to eliminate someone or something. They cut out the free coffee with lunch at the cafeteria. We have to cut Chuck out. There are too many better men on the team.
cut out (for some place)
and light out (for some place)to leave quickly for some place. The kids all cut out for home. When they heard their mother call, the Wilson kids cut out for home.
cut out
to depart; to leave in a hurry. Good-bye. I have to cut out now. It's time I was cutting out. I'm late already.
cut it out
Stop, desist, as in Cut it out, stop teasing your sister. [c. 1900] Also see cut it, def. 1.
cut out
1. Excise, remove as if by cutting; also, form or shape as if by cutting or carving. For example, Young children love cutting out pictures from magazines, or The first step is cutting out the dress pattern. The first usage dates from about 1400, the second from the mid-1500s.
2. Oust, replace, or supplant someone, as in He cut out all her other boyfriends. [Mid-1600s]
3. Also, cut out for. Suited or fitted by nature, as in Dean's not cut out for lexicography. [Mid-1600s]
4. Also, cut out for. Assigned beforehand, prepared, predetermined, as in We have our work cut out for us. [Early 1600s]
5. Deprive, as in He cut her out of his will. [Early 1800s]
6. Stop, cease, as in He cut out the motor, or Cut out that noise! [c. 1900] Also see cut it out.
7. Leave, especially in a hurry; also, run away. For example, I'm cutting out right now, or At the first hint of a police raid they cut out. [Slang; first half of 1800s] Also see cut and run; cut the comedy.
cut it out
used to ask someone to stop doing or saying something that is annoying or offensive. informalcut out
v.
1. To remove something by or as if by cutting: The children cut out the stencils. We cut the pictures out.
2. To form or shape by or as if by cutting: The hikers cut out a path in the bush. I cut a circle out from the paper.
3. To make something unnecessary: The lower plane fares cut out the need for long train trips.
4. To be fit for or suited to something by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.
5. To predetermine something; assign something beforehand or by necessity. Used in the passive: Our task has been cut out for us.
6. To exclude something: The coach cut us out of all the fun. I've had to cut out sweets from my diet.
7. To stop or cease doing something: Cut out that horseplay! Cut it out or you'll have to leave. They were acting badly, but they cut it out when the teacher walked into the room.
8. To depart hastily: We cut out of the party early.
9. To disengage some device by breaking its connection to a power source: The electrician cut out all of the power. Cut the lights out.
10. To stop working suddenly: The engine cut out while I was waiting at the stoplight.
cut out
in. to leave; to run away. It’s late. I think I’ll cut out.