cutback

American  

[kuht-bak] / ˈkʌtˌbæk /

noun

1. a reduction in rate, quantity, etc..

   a cutback in production.

2. a return in the course of a story, motion picture, etc., to earlier events.

3. Football. a play in which the ball-carrier abruptly reverses direction, especially by starting to make an end run and then turning suddenly to run toward the middle of the line.

4. a maneuver in surfing of heading the surfboard back toward a wave's crest.

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cutback British  

/ ˈkʌtˌbæk /

noun

1. a decrease or reduction

2. another word (esp US) for flashback

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verb

1. (tr) to shorten by cutting off the end; prune

2. to reduce or make a reduction (in)

3. (intr) (in films) to show an event that took place earlier in the narrative; flash back

Etymology

Origin of cutback

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase cut back

Example Sentences

Through their dribbling or off-the-ball movement, they would force the opposition's defensive line deeper before a cutback or cross was put away.

From BBC

Naturally, this is forcing many to consider making significant cutbacks and their entire futures in the industry.

From BBC

Companies face other headwinds, industry officials and analysts said, including U.S. government cutbacks to grants that could dent research efforts that eventually lead to new drugs for businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

It showed employment continued to increase in December, with job creation accelerating, though only marginally due to further cutbacks in the manufacturing sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

Supporters say it could raise $100 billion over five years, to be spent mostly on public education, food assistance and California’s medicaid program, which face severe cutbacks thanks to federal budget-cutting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belt-tightening
• decline
• reduction
• reversal