cut off

To stop suddenly, or make a call, sound, or connection stop suddenly.

• The music cut off suddenly.
• Our phone call was cut off.
• Why does the sound keep cutting off?

How to use it: be cut off (Our call was cut off during the storm.)

Similar words: break off, stop abruptly

Common phrases: cut off suddenly, cut off mid-sentence, cut off contact

If someone stops giving you money or supplies, they leave you without that support.

• They cut off our water.
• His family cut him off last year.
• Will the bank cut off funding?

How to use it: cut someone off (Her parents cut her off after she left college.); cut off something (The council cut off funding for the project.)

Similar words: stop supporting, stop supplying

Common phrases: cut off someone, cut off funding, cut off supplies

To stop someone speaking before they have finished what they want to say.

• Please do not cut me off.
• He cut her off before she finished.
• The host keeps cutting off his guests.

How to use it: cut someone off (The interviewer cut her off before she could explain.)

Similar words: interrupt

Common phrases: cut off someone, cut off rudely, cut off mid-sentence

To leave part of something outside a picture or block it from being seen.

• The photo cuts off his feet.
• The camera angle cut off half the sign.
• Her face was cut off by the edge of the screen.

How to use it: cut off something / cut something off (The edge of the frame cuts off her hand.); be cut off by something (His feet were cut off by the bottom of the photo.)

Similar words: crop out, obscure

Common phrases: cut off something, cut something off

To move into someone’s path and stop them continuing in that direction.

• That car cut me off.
• A guard cut off the escaping thief.
• She ran ahead and cut him off.

How to use it: cut someone off (A van cut us off as we approached the bridge.)

Similar words: block, intercept

Common phrases: cut off someone, cut off traffic, cut off escape

To stop an electrical device by using its switch.

• Cut off the light, please.
• She cut the television off before bed.
• Have you cut off the fan?

How to use it: cut something off (Could you cut the radio off?)

Similar words: turn off, switch off

Opposites: turn on

Common phrases: cut off something, cut off lights, cut off television