cut into
cut into — phrasal verb
- cuts into3rd person singular
- cutting into-ing form
- cut intopast simple
1. to press a sharp edge through the surface of something so that it splits open or
to press a sharp edge through the surface of something so that it splits open or a piece comes away.
Dahlia cut into the warm loaf and the smell of fresh bread filled the kitchen.
cut into + a solid food object
The sharp knife cut into the rope and the heavy box dropped to the floor.
inanimate subject: a blade cuts into something
Christopher cut into the soft clay to shape a small bowl for the fair.
Be careful not to cut into the cable when you trim the long grass.
The tight straps of the bag cut into Sven's shoulders during the long walk.
- slice into
stresses a thin, clean cut, often of food
- pierce
making a small hole rather than a long cut
文法句型
cut into + something
用法筆記
Object is usually a solid thing with a surface you can break — food, rope, skin, or soft material. The subject is often the sharp tool itself, not just the person holding it.
常見錯誤
2. to use up or take away part of an amount of time, money, or supply that you want
to use up or take away part of an amount of time, money, or supply that you wanted to keep.
The long meeting cut into the time Femi had set aside for lunch.
cut into + a period of time
Rising fuel prices began to cut into the small shop's monthly profits.
cut into + money or profit
All the extra travel really cut into the weekend Zayd had hoped to relax.
Buying new tools cut into the money the family had saved for the trip.
Late deliveries cut into the hours the team needed to finish the order.
- add to
to increase an amount rather than take from it
文法句型
cut into + something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: nothing is physically sliced here. The object is an amount you wanted to protect — free time, savings, or a supply — and the subject is the thing that eats away at it.