cutaway

American  

[kuht-uh-wey] / ˈkʌt əˌweɪ /

noun

1. Also called cutaway coat.  a man's formal daytime coat having the front portion of the skirt cut away from the waist so as to curve or slope to the tails at the back.

2. Movies, Television.

   1. a switch from one scene to another for showing simultaneous or related action, creating suspense, etc.

   2. Also called cutaway shot.  a shot that abruptly introduces content, scenery, etc., away from the central action.

3. an illustration or scale model having the outer section removed to display the interior.

---

adjective

1. having a part cut away, as an outer section of something being illustrated so that the inside may be shown.

cutaway British  

/ ˈkʌtəˌweɪ /

noun

1. a man's coat cut diagonally from the front waist to the back of the knees

2. 1. a drawing or model of a machine, engine, etc, in which part of the casing is omitted to reveal the workings

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cutaway model

3. films television a shot separate from the main action of a scene, to emphasize something or to show simultaneous events

---

Etymology

Origin of cutaway

First recorded in 1835–45; adj., noun use of verb phrase cut away

Example Sentences

Whether it’s Morton’s perpetually scowling expression in the infrequent cutaways to Brian’s life back home or the on-the-nose emphasis on looming gray clouds, there’s no question a storm is coming.

From Los Angeles Times

We never see the broadcast or who is actually watching this walk, aside from a few cutaways to bored locals on the side of the road.

From Los Angeles Times

Among this year's melodramatic cutaways to contestants supposedly in their hotel rooms was a clip of Charlotte reading a "Learn Welsh" book, priest Lisa praying and Keith practising his martial arts.

From BBC

The format — with its roving cameras and constant cutaway interviews — seemed like a natural choice for an athlete in the era of “30 for 30” and “The Last Dance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Often enough the grandeur, audacity and nuttiness of the opening ceremony shone through onscreen, but commentary, cutaways and commercials fragmented the TV experience, our critic writes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cloak
• frock
• jacket
• overcoat
• raincoat
• suit
• tuxedo
• windbreaker
• wrap