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

"It's ridiculous," he said, lamenting how he has had to cut down on driving.

From Barron's

Stovall also pointed to the long lines for security checks at US airports, and heightened travel safety concerns, as reasons that many people are cutting down on nonessential travel.

From Barron's

The Thai government has asked people to take their jackets off as part of measures to cut down on the amount of energy consumed by air conditioning units.

From BBC

In 2016, workers cut down dozens of oaks trees on land managed by Justin to make room for new grape plantings, stirring up controversy.

From Los Angeles Times

She is keen to cut down on the family's screen time as her children Romi, four, and Marlo, one, grow up surrounded by technology.

From BBC