Table of Content

• Definition of Cut Off
• Forms and tenses of Cut Off
• Meaning and usage of Cut Off
• Common expressions with Cut Off
• The list of synonyms for Cut Off
• The list of antonyms for Cut Off
• 50 Example sentences with Cut Off

Definition of “cut off”: the exact definition of the phrasal verb “cut off” and how it is used in a sentence

The phrasal verb “cut off” means to interrupt or stop the flow or supply of something. It can also mean to sever or disconnect something. Here are a few examples of how it can be used in a sentence:

• The power was cut off due to a storm. (interrupt the flow of electricity)
• The tree branch was cut off by the park maintenance crew. (sever the branch from the tree)
• The gas line was cut off by the construction workers. (disconnect the gas line)
• The internet connection was cut off because the bill wasn’t paid. (interrupt the flow of internet connection)
• The telephone line was cut off because the account was overdue. (disconnect the telephone line)
• The supply of food was cut off by the blockade. (interrupt the flow of food)

Forms and tenses: the different forms and tenses of “cut off” and examples of how to use each one

The phrasal verb “cut off” can be used in a variety of tenses, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are a few examples of how it can be used in different tenses and forms:

• Present simple:
  • The power is cut off due to a storm.
  • The tree branch is cut off by the park maintenance crew.
    
• Present continuous:
  • The construction workers are cutting off the gas line.
  • The bill isn’t being paid, so the internet connection is being cut off.
    
• Past simple:
  • The power was cut off due to a storm.
  • The tree branch was cut off by the park maintenance crew.
    
• Past continuous:
  • The construction workers were cutting off the gas line when the accident happened.
  • The internet connection was being cut off when the server went down.
    
• Present perfect:
  • The power has been cut off due to a storm.
  • The tree branch has been cut off by the park maintenance crew.
    
• Present perfect continuous:
  • The construction workers have been cutting off the gas line for the past two hours.
  • The internet connection has been being cut off for the past week due to a billing issue.
    
• Past perfect:
  • The power had been cut off due to a storm before the generator was turned on.
  • The tree branch had been cut off by the park maintenance crew before the tree fell.
    
• Past perfect continuous:
  • The construction workers had been cutting off the gas line for several hours before the accident happened.
  • The internet connection had been being cut off for several days due to a billing issue before it was resolved.
    
• Future simple:
  • The power will be cut off due to a storm.
  • The tree branch will be cut off by the park maintenance crew.
    
• Future continuous:
  • The construction workers will be cutting off the gas line.
  • The internet connection will be being cut off due to a billing issue.
    

Note: It’s important to remember that “cut off” is a phrasal verb, which means it consists of a verb and a particle (in this case, “off”). As a result, it should not be separated by an object (e.g. “The tree branch was cut the park maintenance crew off.” is incorrect). It should be used as a single unit (e.g. “The tree branch was cut off by the park maintenance crew.” is correct).

Meaning and usage: the different meanings and uses of “cut off” and examples of how to use it in different contexts

“Cut off” can have a few different meanings and uses depending on the context in which it is used.

1. To sever or disconnect something, typically with a sharp object:
   • Examples:
     • I had to cut off the damaged part of the tree branch with a saw.
     • The ropes were cut off and the boat was free to float away.
       
2. To interrupt or stop something suddenly:
   • Examples:
     • The power was cut off during the storm, and we had to rely on candles for light.
     • The speaker was cut off in the middle of their speech due to a technical issue.
       
3. To exclude or disconnect someone or something from communication or access:
   • Examples:
     • He was cut off from his family when they disowned him.
     • The internet connection was cut off, so I couldn’t finish my work.
       
4. To stop or limit the supply of something:
   • Examples:
     • The government decided to cut off the water supply to the area due to drought.
     • The company cut off funding for the project after it failed to meet its goals.
       
5. To shorten or reduce something:
   • Examples:
     • I had to cut off the excess fabric from the dress to make it fit properly.
     • The company cut off a third of its workforce to save money.
       

In all of these cases, “cut off” is being used as a verb. It is often followed by a noun or phrase that specifies what is being cut off or disconnected.

Common expressions with “cut off”: some common expressions that use “cut off” and their meanings and uses

Here are a few common expressions that use “cut off”:

1. “Cut off at the pass”
   • Meaning: To stop or prevent something from happening before it can start or progress.
   • Example: “We were able to cut them off at the pass and prevent them from launching their new product.”
2. “Cut off from the world”
   • Meaning: To be isolated or disconnected from the rest of the world, typically due to geographical or technological factors.
   • Example: “After the storm, we were cut off from the world for a few days due to the damaged roads and bridges.”
3. “Cut off in mid-sentence”
   • Meaning: To be interrupted or stopped suddenly while speaking.
   • Example: “I was cut off in mid-sentence by the teacher because I wasn’t paying attention.”
4. “Cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face”
   • Meaning: To do something that causes harm to oneself while trying to hurt or get revenge on someone else.
   • Example: “He cut off his own funding to get back at the company, but it ended up hurting him more than it hurt them.”
5. “Cut off one’s losses”
   • Meaning: To stop investing in or continuing something that is not successful or not likely to become successful in the future.
   • Example: “We decided to cut our losses and close the restaurant after it didn’t do well in its first year.”

The list of synonyms for “Cut Off”

These words can be used interchangeably with “cut off” to convey the idea of physically or metaphorically separating or discontinuing something.

Here is a list of synonyms for “cut off”:

1. Disconnect
2. Sever
3. Separate
4. Divide
5. Remove
6. Detach
7. Isolate
8. Break
9. Clip
10. Amputate
11. Trim
12. Slice
13. Hack
14. Block
15. Cleave
16. Curtail
17. Terminate
18. Halt
19. Discontinue
20. Withdraw

The list of antonyms for “Break Up”

These words represent concepts opposite to “cut off” and imply actions of connecting, joining, or maintaining continuity.

Here is a list of antonyms for “cut off”:

1. Connect
2. Attach
3. Join
4. Unite
5. Link
6. Combine
7. Attach
8. Integrate
9. Include
10. Add
11. Merge
12. Join
13. Incorporate
14. Unify
15. Continue
16. Extend
17. Preserve
18. Maintain
19. Sustain
20. Bridge

50 example sentences for Cut Off phrasal verb

1. The power was cut off due to a storm.
2. The water supply was cut off because of a leak.
3. The tree branch was cut off by the park maintenance crew.
4. The gas line was cut off by the construction workers.
5. The internet connection was cut off because the bill wasn’t paid.
6. The telephone line was cut off because the account was overdue.
7. The supply of food was cut off by the blockade.
8. The electricity was cut off due to a power outage.
9. The sound from the speakers was cut off when the cord was unplugged.
10. The road was cut off by a landslide.
11. The music was cut off when the DJ ended the set.
12. The bridge was cut off by the flood waters.
13. The power to the house was cut off when the homeowners defaulted on their mortgage.
14. The supply of oxygen was cut off when the tank ran out.
15. The communication was cut off when the satellite went down.
16. The flow of traffic was cut off when the road was closed for construction.
17. The supply of electricity was cut off when the transformer blew.
18. The connection to the internet was cut off when the modem stopped working.
19. The water was cut off when the pipes froze.
20. The phone service was cut off when the contract expired.
21. The supply of fuel was cut off when the tanker ran out.
22. The flow of water was cut off when the valve was closed.
23. The supply of gas was cut off when the tank ran out.
24. The road was cut off by a fallen tree.
25. The electricity was cut off when the power company discovered a meter tampering.
26. The flow of electricity was cut off when the circuit breaker tripped.
27. The supply of food was cut off when the stores ran out of supplies.
28. The connection to the internet was cut off when the router stopped working.
29. The flow of traffic was cut off when the road was blocked by an accident.
30. The sound was cut off when the speaker stopped working.
31. The supply of electricity was cut off when the generator ran out of fuel.
32. The phone service was cut off when the account was overdue.
33. The connection to the internet was cut off when the server went down.
34. The flow of water was cut off when the main pipe burst.
35. The supply of gas was cut off when the station ran out of fuel.
36. The road was cut off by a sinkhole.
37. The sound was cut off when the microphone stopped working.
38. The flow of traffic was cut off when the road was closed for repairs.
39. The supply of electricity was cut off when the power plant shut down.
40. The connection to the internet was cut off when the modem was damaged.
41. The flow of water was cut off when the well dried up.
42. The supply of gas was cut off when the pipeline was damaged.
43. The road was cut off by a rock slide.
44. The sound was cut off when the amplifier stopped working.
45. The flow of traffic was cut off when the road was closed for a parade.
46. The supply of electricity was cut off when the power lines were down.
47. The connection to the internet was cut off when the satellite dish was damaged.
48. The flow of water was cut off when the reservoir was drained.
49. The supply of gas was cut off when the refinery shut down.
50. The road was cut off by a snowstorm.