cutting 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
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
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.
6. (transitive) To end abruptly.
   • My phone call was cut off before I could get the information.

See all 10 meanings of cut off