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

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

But he felt out of place at home, attributing his desire to leave Germany to his country’s “tall-poppy” syndrome—the idea that successful people get criticized and cut down.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

"It limits our movement. They cut off roads, bulldoze lands and cut down trees."

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

“But you’ll have to provide the wood from outside. My trees need some time to grow back their branches. And I won’t cut down any sundari trees in the reserve.”

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins