cut costs — reduce spending
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to spend less money, especially by finding ways to save or by reducing unnecessary expenses.
Say it like a native
Textbook The firm must reduce its expenditure.
Native The company needs to cut costs.
'Reduce its expenditure' is formal/written; 'cut costs' is the everyday business phrase.
Pattern: cut costs (by doing something)
In use
- The company had to cut costs by reducing staff and limiting travel expenses.money
- In my opinion, universities should try to cut costs by using more digital resources instead of printed materials.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ We need to cut the costs of staff.
✓ We need to cut staff costs.
Usually 'cut costs' (no 'the') or 'cut [X] costs'.
Common collocations
cut costs— to cut costs, drastically, staff, running
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'save money' (more general); 'cut costs' usually means making specific reductions.