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cut back

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cut back

to turn back; to reverse direction. Suddenly, the bull cut back in our direction and began chasing us. The road cuts back about a mile ahead, and it goes west again.

See also: back, cut

cut back (on something)

to reduce the use, amount, or cost of something. You are all going to have to cut back on water usage. You simply must cut back on office expenses.

See also: back, cut

cut something back

to prune plants; to reduce the size of plants, bushes, etc. Let's cut these bushes back. They're getting in the way. Don't cut back my roses!

See also: back, cut

cut back

1. Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It's time we cut back these bushes. [1860s]

2. Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending, or We have to cut back production. [c. 1940] Also see cut to the bone.

See also: back, cut

cut back

v.

1. To shorten something, as a plant, by cutting; prune something: If I don't cut back the weeds, they will choke the flowers. Let's cut the vines back.

2. To reduce or decrease the amount of something: The factory cut back production because of budget problems. The company cut salaries back this year.

See also: back, cut