To stop a service like a phone call, electricity, or internet from working, often suddenly or by accident.
My phone call was cut off in the middle of our conversation.
A: Hello? Are you still there? B: Sorry, I got cut off. The signal dropped.
During the interview, my internet was cut off, so I had to reconnect and apologize to the interviewer.
Common mistake
✗Sorry, my phone cut off me.
✓Sorry, I got cut off. / We got cut off.
Use the passive 'got cut off' — you don't say 'cut off me'.
Tell it apart
We got cut off halfway through.
the call dropped
They cut off the water supply.
stopped the service
Use 'cut off' when a connection or service stops, especially when you didn't expect it.Not the same as 'hang up', which means ending a call on purpose.
To stop providing something that someone needs, like water, gas, or financial support.
If you don't pay the bill, the water company might cut off your supply.
A: Why can't you use the heating? B: They cut off the gas because we missed a payment.
Some parents cut off financial support when their children finish university to encourage independence.
Common mistake
✗The company cut off us because we didn't pay.
✓The company cut us off because we didn't pay.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cut us off', not 'cut off us'.
Tell it apart
They cut off our gas for non-payment.
stopped the supply
We got cut off mid-call.
the phone line dropped
Use 'cut off' when a supply or support is stopped, sometimes as a punishment or because of unpaid bills.Different from 'run out', which means something finishes naturally.
To make someone or something unable to reach or communicate with others, often by blocking the way or by distance.
The village was cut off by heavy snow for several days.
A: Why didn't you come to the party? B: The road was flooded, so we were completely cut off.
During the pandemic, many elderly people felt cut off from their families because they couldn't visit each other.
Common mistake
✗The storm cut off us for three days.
✓The storm cut us off for three days.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cut us off'.
Tell it apart
The landslide cut off the only road.
isolated it
They cut off his allowance.
stopped the supply of money
Use 'cut off' when someone or something is isolated, especially by physical barriers or bad conditions.Not the same as 'leave out', which means to not include someone.
To stop someone from speaking or expressing themselves by interrupting them suddenly, often before they have finished.
She was about to explain her idea when the chairperson cut her off mid-sentence.
A: I think we should— B: Sorry to cut you off, but we need to move on to the next agenda item.
During the debate, one candidate repeatedly cut off his opponent, making it difficult for her to finish her arguments.
Common mistake
✗He cut off me in the middle of my point.
✓He cut me off in the middle of my point.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cut me off'.
Tell it apart
He cut me off before I finished.
interrupted me
He cut in to add something.
broke into the conversation
'Cut off' in this sense is used in both spoken and written English, especially in discussions or debates. It can carry a negative connotation, suggesting the interruption was abrupt or impolite.Unlike the B2 sense 'isolate (separate from others or from help)', this sense refers specifically to stopping someone from speaking, not to physical or social isolation.