cut back
Idioms-
Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It's time we cut back these bushes . [1860s]
-
Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending , or We have to cut back production . [c. 1940] Also see cut to the bone .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Andar has since struggled to pay workers and had to cut back on a vehicle service that transported people to its center on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 8, 2026
I’ve been working part time since 2004, when I cut back to raise the kids and then look after my dad.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
If the National Party wins enough seats to govern, Luxon's second term will focus on growing international trade while continuing to cut back on what the coalition deem unnecessary costs in government.
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
If you want to shop locally and cut back on Amazon orders, check out our expanded guide to L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2026
By early June, he had decided he would take the summer off, and maybe cut back his workweek when he returned to the firm.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
