cutting back

Verb

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

1. (intransitive, transitive, with-on) To reduce the amount of (something).
   • The foliage is out of control and needs to be cut back.
2. (intransitive, with-on) To reduce spending.
   • We need to cut back heavily on office supplies. Is there another vendor we can use?
3. (intransitive, often, with-on) To reduce consumption.
   • He needs to cut back on doughnuts. He weighs 289 pounds!
4. (intransitive) To perform the cutback maneuver.
   • I cut back again myself and went over the top of the wave.2016, Michael Panckridge, Chasing the Break
5. (intransitive, often) To use a short cut; to move to a location to block someone; to cut someone off
   • He almost scored but the defender cut back to him.