cut out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to delete or remove

2. (tr) to shape or form by cutting

   to cut out a dress

3. (tr; usually passive) to suit or equip for

   you're not cut out for this job

4. (intr) (of an engine, etc) to cease to operate suddenly

5. (tr) printing to remove the background from a photograph or drawing to make the outline of the subject stand out

6. (intr) (of an electrical device) to switch off, usually automatically

7. informal (tr) to oust and supplant (a rival)

8. (intr) (of a person) to be excluded from a card game

9. informal (tr) to cease doing something, esp something undesirable (esp in the phrase cut it out )

10. (tr) soccer to intercept (a pass)

11. (tr) to separate (cattle) from a herd

12. (intr) to end or finish

    the road cuts out at the creek

13. to have as much work as one can manage

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noun

1. something that has been or is intended to be cut out from something else

2. a photograph or drawing from which the background has been cut away

3. a device that switches off or interrupts an electric circuit, esp a switch acting as a safety device

4. an impressed stamp cut out from an envelope for collecting purposes

5. slang the end of shearing

cut out Idioms  

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 .

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Example Sentences

Once again, Close’s work is cut out for her.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

While you can’t escape every targeted ad, you can certainly cut out some of the noise.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, says Sir Alex Ferguson told him to cut out the step-overs when he was a plucky youngster at Manchester United baiting Premier League full-backs.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

A Justice Department official said the antitrust division wasn’t cut out of the talks and that several meetings were held between DOJ leaders and antitrust officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

It had a whisk for a TV antenna and a cushion from the sofa for a bed, and I cut out windows with the big, sharp knife.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

• carve
• delete
• eliminate
• extract
• pull out
• sever