cut-off
cut-off — adjective
1. made shorter after the lower part was cut away, especially of jeans or shorts
made shorter after the lower part was cut away, especially of jeans or shorts
Hoa wore cut-off jeans and sandals to the beach market.
cut-off jeans — shortened denim worn as shorts
The shop displayed cut-off denim shorts beside plain white T-shirts.
After the festival, Devika kept her old cut-off shorts for gardening.
Cut-off trousers felt cooler than full-length jeans in the heat.
- full-length
used for trousers or jeans that keep the complete leg length
用法筆記
Usually used before a noun, especially with jeans or shorts that were made shorter by cutting the legs.
常見錯誤
cut-off — noun
1. the act of stopping a supply or cutting something away, or the part removed by d
the act of stopping a supply or cutting something away, or the part removed by doing this
The water cut-off lasted until plumbers repaired the broken street pipe.
noun use for a stopped supply
Farmers feared a cut-off of river water during the dry summer.
The tailor saved the cut-off from the sleeve to patch the pocket.
A sudden cut-off of phone service left the campsite unable to call.
- interruption
focuses on a service that stops rather than on something physically removed
- offcut
used more for the leftover piece than for the act itself
用法筆記
Often followed by of when it means an interruption to a supply or connection.
2. short trousers made by cutting the legs off a pair of jeans, or made in that sty
short trousers made by cutting the legs off a pair of jeans, or made in that style
Jessica packed two cut-offs for the camping trip by the lake.
usually plural when naming the clothing item
The children laughed when João wore bright socks with his cut-offs.
At the flea market, Yasmin found vintage cut-offs with frayed edges.
Cut-offs felt cooler than heavy trousers on the humid afternoon.
- denim shorts
neutral term; does not always suggest they were cut from old jeans
- jeans
full-length denim trousers rather than shortened ones
用法筆記
This clothing sense is often plural in everyday speech, especially when talking about what someone is wearing.
常見錯誤
3. the final date, score, or limit after which something is no longer accepted or a
the final date, score, or limit after which something is no longer accepted or allowed
Friday is the cut-off for sending changes to the school newsletter.
cut-off for + -ing form or noun phrase
Applicants below the cut-off score could not enter the interview round.
The bank moved the payment cut-off to three in the afternoon.
There is a strict age cut-off for joining the junior team.
用法筆記
Often appears before nouns such as date, score, time, or age when rules set a final boundary.
cut-off — phrasal verb
1. to remove part of something with a knife or scissors so that it becomes shorter
to remove part of something with a knife or scissors so that it becomes shorter or smaller
The tailor cut off two centimetres from the curtain before sewing it.
cut off + amount + from + thing
Walid cut off the broken branch so the children could pass.
Naoko cut off the burnt edges of the toast before breakfast.
The hairdresser cut off the damaged ends and left the rest long.
文法句型
cut off + part
cut off + amount + from + thing
用法筆記
Used when part of an object is physically removed. It often names the amount removed or the part that is taken away.
常見錯誤
2. to stop power, water, travel, or another supply from reaching a person or place
to stop power, water, travel, or another supply from reaching a person or place
The storm cut off power to half the town overnight.
cut off + power/water/service
Workers cut off the gas before repairing the kitchen pipe.
Floodwater cut off the mountain road for three days.
The company cut off her phone service after months of unpaid bills.
- disconnect
best for phones, cables, or digital links
- shut off
often used when someone deliberately turns a supply off
- restore
to make the supply or access available again
文法句型
cut off + supply/service
cut off + place + from + source
用法筆記
This sense focuses on blocking access or supply. It is common with roads, power, water, gas, service, and contact.
常見錯誤
3. to make an activity, period, or relationship end sooner than expected
to make an activity, period, or relationship end sooner than expected
The chair cut off the debate when the fire alarm started.
cut off + event before its natural end
After months of lies, Yael cut off all contact with her cousin.
The injury cut off Devika's first season with the team.
Budget cuts cut off the music program after only one term.
- continue
to let the activity or relationship keep going
文法句型
cut off + activity
cut off + contact/relationship
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2, this sense is about bringing something to an earlier finish rather than blocking a supply or route.
4. to make a phone or video conversation stop suddenly, or for the connection to st
to make a phone or video conversation stop suddenly, or for the connection to stop by itself
The line cut off just as João started giving the address.
intransitive: the line cuts off
Devika cut me off before I could explain the mistake.
transitive: cut someone off
We were discussing train times when the call cut off.
A weak signal cut off the interview halfway through the sentence.
- disconnect
more formal and often used for the technical side of the problem
- hang up on
more informal and clearly intentional
文法句型
the call cuts off
cut someone off on the phone
用法筆記
Often used for an unexpected break in a call. It can describe either the failing connection or the person who stops the conversation.
5. to stop serving a person alcoholic drinks because they seem too drunk
to stop serving a person alcoholic drinks because they seem too drunk
The bartender cut him off after his fourth drink.
cut someone off for being too drunk
The staff cut off the shouting tourist near closing time.
Once Yasmin could not speak clearly, the server cut her off.
The pub will cut off anyone who cannot stand steadily.
- refuse service
broader phrase that can include reasons other than drinking too much
文法句型
cut someone off at the bar
用法筆記
Used mainly in bars, pubs, and restaurants where staff decide that a customer has had enough alcohol.
6. to drive suddenly into the space in front of another vehicle, leaving too little
to drive suddenly into the space in front of another vehicle, leaving too little room
A black van cut us off at the traffic light and made Dad brake hard.
cut someone off in traffic
The taxi cut off a cyclist while turning into the hotel drive.
Drivers kept cutting each other off in the narrow lane.
Walid shouted when a bus cut him off near the bridge.
- swerve in front of
more descriptive, with emphasis on the sudden sideways movement
文法句型
cut someone off in traffic
用法筆記
This sense is about unsafe movement in traffic and usually names the driver or vehicle that loses space.
7. to separate a person or place from other people, help, or normal contact
to separate a person or place from other people, help, or normal contact
Snow cut off the island village from fresh food deliveries.
cut off + place + from + support
After the argument, Ada cut herself off from old friends.
Poor bus links cut the neighbourhood off from the city centre.
Hearing loss can cut older people off from daily conversation.
- connect
to link someone or something back to people or services
文法句型
cut off + place/person + from + others
用法筆記
The result is separation from people, services, or ordinary life, not just a brief physical block.