cut off

Verb

cut off (third-person singular simple present cuts off, present participle cutting off, simple past and past participle cut off)

1. (transitive) To remove by cutting.

   Synonyms:

   prune, trim

2. (transitive) To isolate or remove from contact.
   • The entranced spectator was cut off from reality as long as the adventure lasted; it was as if he lived a dream yet believed he was awake.1956, Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, page 37
   • […] the master controller handle contains a device which automatically applies the brakes and cuts off all power to the electric motors in the event of an emergency; […]1958 June, “First Battery Railcars on B.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 420
3. (transitive) To stop the provision or supply of something, e.g. power, water.
   • "I suppose they lit the gas, or whatever it is there, as well?"
     "It is gas, but they could not light it because it was cut off at the meter. We always cut it off when a flat becomes vacant."1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC
   • The first English Electric units were not fitted with an anti-slip brake, but a hurried consultation of the wiring diagram showed that it should be possible to hold in the low-voltage anti-slip relay for long enough to let speed build up without cutting off the motor current.1962 April, R. K. Evans, “The Acceptance Testing of Diesel Locomotives”, in Modern Railways, page 268
4. (transitive) To exclude (something) from the field of view.
   • Half of his head has been cut off by the edge of the photo.
5. (transitive) To stop providing funds or something else to (someone).
   • His parents cut him off to encourage him to find a job.
   • You're drunk, Jerry, I'm cutting you off.
6. (transitive) To end abruptly.
   • My phone call was cut off before I could get the information.
7. (transitive) To interrupt (someone speaking).
   • That dingbat cut me off as I was about to conclude my thesis.
8. (transitive) To swerve in front of (another car) while driving.

   Synonyms:

   cut up

9. (transitive) To move so as to block someone else's movement in a direction.
   • I ran to the house, but Sally is quicker and cut me off.
10. (Southern US, transitive) To turn off or switch off (an electrical device).
    • Cut off the lamp so I can get some sleep.