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cut out

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cut out

to depart; to leave in a hurry. Good-bye. I have to cut out now. It's time I was cutting out. I'm late already.

See also: cut, out

cut out (for some place)

 and light out (for some place)

to leave quickly for some place. The kids all cut out for home. When they heard their mother call, the Wilson kids cut out for home.

See also: cut, out

cut someone or something out

to eliminate someone or something. They cut out the free coffee with lunch at the cafeteria. We have to cut Chuck out. There are too many better men on the team.

See also: cut, out

cut out something

also cut something out

to end or stop something You should cut out eating ice cream and get more exercise. We cut out cable TV and have saved a lot of money. She wants to cut meat out of her diet altogether.

See also: cut, out

cut out

1. Excise, remove as if by cutting; also, form or shape as if by cutting or carving. For example, Young children love cutting out pictures from magazines, or The first step is cutting out the dress pattern. The first usage dates from about 1400, the second from the mid-1500s.

2. Oust, replace, or supplant someone, as in He cut out all her other boyfriends. [Mid-1600s]

3. Also, cut out for. Suited or fitted by nature, as in Dean's not cut out for lexicography. [Mid-1600s]

4. Also, cut out for. Assigned beforehand, prepared, predetermined, as in We have our work cut out for us. [Early 1600s]

5. Deprive, as in He cut her out of his will. [Early 1800s]

6. Stop, cease, as in He cut out the motor, or Cut out that noise! [c. 1900] Also see cut it out.

7. Leave, especially in a hurry; also, run away. For example, I'm cutting out right now, or At the first hint of a police raid they cut out. [Slang; first half of 1800s] Also see cut and run; cut the comedy.

See also: cut, out

cut out

v.

1. To remove something by or as if by cutting: The children cut out the stencils. We cut the pictures out.

2. To form or shape by or as if by cutting: The hikers cut out a path in the bush. I cut a circle out from the paper.

3. To make something unnecessary: The lower plane fares cut out the need for long train trips.

4. To be fit for or suited to something by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.

5. To predetermine something; assign something beforehand or by necessity. Used in the passive: Our task has been cut out for us.

6. To exclude something: The coach cut us out of all the fun. I've had to cut out sweets from my diet.

7. To stop or cease doing something: Cut out that horseplay! Cut it out or you'll have to leave. They were acting badly, but they cut it out when the teacher walked into the room.

8. To depart hastily: We cut out of the party early.

9. To disengage some device by breaking its connection to a power source: The electrician cut out all of the power. Cut the lights out.

10. To stop working suddenly: The engine cut out while I was waiting at the stoplight.

See also: cut, out

cut out

in. to leave; to run away. It’s late. I think I’ll cut out.

See also: cut, out