cutback
Americannoun
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a reduction in rate, quantity, etc..
a cutback in production.
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a return in the course of a story, motion picture, etc., to earlier events.
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Football. a play in which the ball-carrier abruptly reverses direction, especially by starting to make an end run and then turning suddenly to run toward the middle of the line.
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a maneuver in surfing of heading the surfboard back toward a wave's crest.
noun
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a decrease or reduction
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another word (esp US) for flashback
verb
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(tr) to shorten by cutting off the end; prune
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to reduce or make a reduction (in)
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(intr) (in films) to show an event that took place earlier in the narrative; flash back
Etymology
Origin of cutback
First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase cut back
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.
The first chance of the opening half fell to Diallo, who fired wide after connecting with a cutback.
From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025
He got an assist for Alexander Isak's goal - a wonderful cutback - and has looked to add more goals after 18 last season.
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025
Set ‘a cutback goal’ of 10% to 20% for this year, and put the difference in an investment account.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025
Following the FAA’s cutback announcement, United said it’s long-haul international and hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by the reductions.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025
“Since the cutback in rations, I see a difference. They grow sleepy, they have trouble concentrating. . . .”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions 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.
