cutting down

Verb

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

1. (intransitive, literally) To cut downward.
2. (literally, transitive) To adulterate a drug.
   • We need to cut the cocaine down.
3. (transitive) To bring down by cutting.
   • They want to cut down several trees to make room for the parking lot.
4. (idiomatic, transitive) To insult, to belittle.
5. (idiomatic) To reduce the amount of something.
   • He wants to cut down on extra steps.
6. (dated, idiomatic) To slay, often in great numbers.
   • I will cut you down where you stand.

See all 9 meanings of cut down