cut-out
cut-out — phrasal verb
1. to stop working suddenly, especially when an engine, motor, or electrical device
to stop working suddenly, especially when an engine, motor, or electrical device loses power
Noor's scooter cut out halfway up the hill in heavy rain.
engine + cut out — sudden loss of power
The old freezer keeps cutting out during the hottest afternoons.
During the parade, the loudspeaker cut out for several seconds.
Benjamin turned back when the boat's engine cut out near shore.
- start up
begin working again
- keep running
continue operating without stopping
文法句型
engine/machine + cuts out
用法筆記
Usually used for vehicles, machines, and electrical equipment. It often suggests an unexpected stop rather than a planned shutdown.
常見錯誤
2. to keep someone from joining, sharing in, or knowing about something
to keep someone from joining, sharing in, or knowing about something
Élise felt hurt when her cousins cut her out of the holiday plan.
cut somebody out of something
The landlord tried to cut the older tenants out of the discussion.
After the merger, two local suppliers were cut out of the deal.
Lakan promised not to cut his sister out of the family photos.
文法句型
cut somebody out of something
be cut out of something
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' when someone loses a role, a share, or access. Distinguish from sense 5, which removes words or parts from a text rather than people from participation.
常見錯誤
3. to create a shape or object by cutting it from paper, cloth, or another material
to create a shape or object by cutting it from paper, cloth, or another material
Tamar cut out a paper moon for the classroom window.
cut out + shape from paper
The children cut out animal masks before the school play.
Hassan used felt to cut out small stars for the banner.
For the shop sign, Esme cut out neat letters from gold card.
文法句型
cut out + object
cut out + shape
用法筆記
This sense focuses on making the new shape itself. Distinguish from sense 4, where the emphasis is on removing a part from a larger whole.
常見錯誤
4. to take a part from a larger piece by cutting around it, usually with scissors
to take a part from a larger piece by cutting around it, usually with scissors
Devika cut out the coupon from Sunday's newspaper before breakfast.
cut out + object + from + material
At lunch, Isabela cut out the recipe and pinned it above the sink.
Hyun carefully cut out the damaged square from the carpet.
Tamás cut the article out and saved it in a blue folder.
文法句型
cut out + object
cut out + object + from + material
用法筆記
Use this sense when something already exists inside a bigger piece and is removed from it. Sense 3 is closer to making a new shape for a purpose.
常見錯誤
5. to remove words, scenes, or details from writing, speech, or recorded material
to remove words, scenes, or details from writing, speech, or recorded material
Christopher cut out two paragraphs before sending the report to legal.
editing use: cut out words or sections
The director cut the slow opening scene out after the preview.
separable: cut the scene out
Meera asked the host to cut out the joke from the podcast.
To save space, the editor cut out several repeated examples.
文法句型
cut out + word/scene/detail
cut + object + out of + text
用法筆記
Often used for editing because something is too long, unnecessary, or unsuitable. Distinguish from sense 2, which excludes people rather than content.
常見錯誤
6. said when you want someone to stop an irritating action or remark immediately
said when you want someone to stop an irritating action or remark immediately
When Cole hid the remote again, his mother shouted, 'Cut it out!'
fixed expression: Cut it out!
Aoi laughed, then told her brother to cut it out.
The teacher said, 'Cut it out,' when the back row kept whistling.
During dinner, Ayana told the twins to cut it out.
- stop it
direct and very close in meaning
- knock it off
informal and slightly rougher
- quit it
informal, especially in North American speech
文法句型
Cut it out!
用法筆記
This is a spoken command and is almost always used as a set phrase. It sounds annoyed or impatient rather than polite.
常見錯誤
7. to block light, air, sound, or another thing from reaching a place
to block light, air, sound, or another thing from reaching a place
The new curtains cut out the streetlights from Mara's bedroom.
cut out + light
Thick foam under the door helps cut out hallway noise.
The visor cut out enough sun for the driver to see clearly.
On windy nights, the taped plastic cut out some cold air.
- block
neutral and broad
- shut out
often stronger and more complete
- screen out
common for light or unwanted signals
文法句型
cut out + light/noise/air
用法筆記
Common with light, noise, and draughts. It suggests reducing or shutting something off by placing a barrier in the way.
常見錯誤
8. to stop having, using, or doing something, often because it is unhealthy or unne
to stop having, using, or doing something, often because it is unhealthy or unnecessary
After the checkup, Maja cut out sugary drinks for a month.
cut out + food or drink
The coach told the team to cut late-night gaming out.
separable with a long habit noun phrase
To save money, the family cut out weekly taxi rides.
Lakshmi cut fried snacks out after her dentist warned her.
- take up
start a habit or activity
- keep using
continue the behavior
文法句型
cut out + sugar
cut out + habit
cut + object + out
用法筆記
Often used for food, drink, habits, and spending. It usually means stopping completely, not simply doing less.
常見錯誤
cut-out — noun
1. a piece that has been cut from a larger sheet, board, or other object
a piece that has been cut from a larger sheet, board, or other object
A star-shaped cut-out hung in the bakery window all winter.
a cut-out of a shape
The designer taped a cardboard cut-out over the broken vent.
At the fair, children posed behind a giant astronaut cut-out.
The scrapbook had a neat cut-out of the old family house.
- shape
broader and not always removed from a larger piece
- silhouette
specifically a dark profile shape
- clipping
often for a piece cut from a newspaper
文法句型
a cut-out
a cut-out of something
用法筆記
Often used for paper, card, wood, or picture shapes that have been cut free from something larger.
常見錯誤
2. a person or device that cuts shapes or sections free from a larger material
a person or device that cuts shapes or sections free from a larger material
In the factory, the laser cut-out handles thin metal sheets.
device meaning in manufacturing
The museum hired a skilled cut-out to prepare costume patterns.
A computer-guided cut-out shaped every foam panel for the studio.
During repairs, the cut-out on line three needed a new blade.
- cutter
more common general term
- cutting machine
clearer in modern technical English
文法句型
a cut-out on the machine
use a cut-out to shape
用法筆記
This is a specialised noun and is much rarer than sense 1. It usually appears in technical or production contexts.
常見錯誤
3. a go-between who secretly passes messages, money, or goods for other people
a go-between who secretly passes messages, money, or goods for other people
The spy ring used a cut-out to pass notes between safe houses.
act as a secret intermediary
Investigators learned that the charity worker was only a cut-out.
To avoid direct contact, the group sent payments through a cut-out.
The novel's villain trusted a cut-out to deliver the stolen file.
- intermediary
neutral and broader
- go-between
common and slightly less secret
- courier
focuses on carrying items rather than shielding identities
文法句型
use a cut-out
act as a cut-out
用法筆記
Used in intelligence, crime, and political reporting for an intermediary who protects the main people from direct contact.
常見錯誤
4. a record album that is no longer being produced and is sold cheaply to clear rem
a record album that is no longer being produced and is sold cheaply to clear remaining stock
At the market, Dylan found a jazz cut-out for three dollars.
music-store use
The shop filled one bin with old rock cut-outs from the warehouse.
Collectors sometimes ignore cut-outs because the sleeves look damaged.
Cole bought two soul cut-outs while browsing the discount racks.
- remaindered record
formal industry term
- discount album
clear modern explanation
- new release
a newly issued album
文法句型
a cut-out album
buy cut-outs cheaply
用法筆記
This is a specialist music-industry sense. Many cut-out albums have a notch, hole, or clipped corner to show they were remaindered stock.