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

See Examples For:

cut out

Minutes later, the engine cut out, and he was unable to get it started again.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

And on a hot July day, he said the batteries were far more reliable than fuel generators that can overheat and cut out during summer.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

But his England side will have their work cut out against Argentina, who are in the World Cup's last four for the third time in the past four editions.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

She clips coupons and has cut out trips to the zoo and restaurants with her children.

From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026

Paul realized that some women weren’t cut out for a stay in prison.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

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