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cut out — 5 meanings

Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.

phrasal verb5 meanings
cut outsame phrase

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stop doing or eating something (usually for health reasons)

After his doctor’s advice, Mark decided to cut out sugar from his diet.

stops working suddenly

The heating keeps cutting out, so the flat's freezing in the mornings.

(sound/video) stop suddenly

You cut out there — I only caught the first half of what you said.

remove something by cutting

She cut out a picture from the magazine for her project.

be suited for

Despite her qualifications, she quickly realised she wasn't cut out for the pressures of corporate life.

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Meanings in detail

2. stops working suddenly

B1informalspoken

When a device, appliance or connection stops working, usually for a short time and without warning.

The heating keeps cutting out, so the flat's freezing in the mornings.

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3. (sound/video) stop suddenly

B2informalspoken

If the sound or picture cuts out, it suddenly stops for a moment during a call or while streaming.

You cut out there — I only caught the first half of what you said.

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4. remove something by cutting

B1neutralboth

To remove a part of something by cutting it away, often with scissors or a knife.

She cut out a picture from the magazine for her project.

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5. be suited for

C1neutralboth

To have the right qualities or abilities for a particular job, activity, or situation, often used in the negative to suggest someone is not suitable.

Despite her qualifications, she quickly realised she wasn't cut out for the pressures of corporate life.

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