undercut

[uhn-der-kuht, uhn-der-kuht, uhn-der-kuht]

verb (used with object)

undercut, undercutting 

1. to cut under or beneath.

2. to cut away material from so as to leave a portion overhanging, as in carving or sculpture.

3. to offer goods or services at a lower price or rate than (a competing price or rate) or than that of (a competitor).

4. to weaken or destroy the impact or effectiveness of; undermine.

5. Golf.,  to hit (the ball) so as to cause a backspin.

6. Tennis.,  to slice (the ball) using an underhand motion.

7. to cut (a sound recording) with grooves too shallow or with insufficient lateral motion of the stylus.

8. Forestry.,  to cut a notch in (a tree) in order to control the direction in which the tree is to fall.

verb (used without object)

undercut, undercutting 

1. to undercut material, a competitor, a ball, etc.

noun

1. a cut or a cutting away underneath.

2. a notch cut in a tree to determine the direction in which the tree is to fall and to prevent splitting.

3. a haircut for men or women in which one or both sides and often the back are shaved or cut very short, leaving longer hair at the top of the head.

   an undercut with a side part.

4. Golf.,  a backspin.

5. Tennis.,  a slice or cut made with an underhand motion.

6. Chiefly British.,  a tenderloin of beef including the fillet.

7. Dentistry.,  a tooth cavity prepared with a wide base for anchoring a filling securely.

adjective

1. having or resulting from an undercut.

undercut

verb

1. to charge less than (a competitor) in order to obtain trade

2. to cut away the under part of (something)

3. sport to hit (a ball) in such a way as to impart backspin

noun

1. the act or an instance of cutting underneath

2. a part that is cut away underneath

3. a tenderloin of beef, including the fillet

4. forestry a notch cut in a tree trunk, to ensure a clean break in felling

5. sport a stroke that imparts backspin to the ball

Word History and Origins

Origin of undercut¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English undercutten “to cut down”; under-, cut

Example Sentences

“When EPA funding and staffing are undercut, it doesn’t just hurt these public servants, it hurts us all,” Arroyo said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Most of the H-1B program is now being used to import cheaper foreign guestworkers, replacing American workers, and undercutting their wages.”

From Los Angeles Times

She labels Biden’s decision to seek re-election “recklessness” and says his staff operated with a “zero-sum mentality” that undercut her campaign.

From Salon

Yet, the long-standing H-1B programme - criticised for undercutting American workers but praised for attracting global talent - still faces an uncertain future.

From BBC

In announcing the planned change, the White House said the visas were not being used as intended, citing data it said suggests some visas are being "abused" to undercut American wages and outsource IT jobs.

From BBC

Related Words

• destabilize 
• diminish 
• lessen 
• thwart 
• undermine