cut down

British  

verb

1. (tr) to fell

2. to reduce or make a reduction (in)

   to cut down on drink

3. (tr) to remake (an old garment) in order to make a smaller one

4. (tr) to kill

   he was cut down in battle

5. to reduce in importance or decrease the conceit of

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cut down Idioms  

1. Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they crossed the field . [Early 1800s]

2. Also, cut down on . Reduce, decrease, as in I want to cut down my caffeine intake , or We have to cut down on our expenses . [Mid-1800s]

3. cut down to size ; knock down to size . Reduce the self-importance of, humble, as in He's so arrogant—I wish someone would cut him down to size , or She really got knocked down to size when her class ranking slipped . [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cut down

"Even if it can cut down my worries by 5 or 10%, then it helps me and it will help other people too," he says.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

More broadly, campus programs to support the academic success of Latino and Black students have also been cut down at some UC campuses, though administrators have blamed budget cuts for the draw downs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Analysts at Citi said they expect PG&E to cut down on its capital-investment program; reallocate some money towards dividends, stock buybacks and debt reduction; and try to reengage politicians in Sacramento next year.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

She has cut down on meals and is moving in with her father in the coming weeks to stretch her dollars further.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

It’s an actual owl, staring unblinking and motionless as we cut down the path.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli