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cut off — 4 meanings

One phrase, 4 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb4 meanings
cut off
1disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)2stop supply (water, money, etc.)3isolate (separate from others or from help)4interrupt abruptly

Meaning 1 · most common

disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)

  • cut sb/sth off

To stop a service like a phone call, electricity, or internet from working, often suddenly or by accident.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: Sorry, my phone cut off me.

Say: Sorry, I got cut off. / We got cut off.

Use the passive 'got cut off' — you don't say 'cut off me'.

More on “disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the interview, my internet was cut off, so I had to reconnect and apologize to the interviewer.

Tell it apart

We got cut off halfway through.

  • the call dropped

They cut off the water supply.

  • stopped the service

Goes with

  • get/be cut off
Practice saying this
Next meaning: stop supply (water, money, etc.)

Meaning 2

stop supply (water, money, etc.)

  • cut sb/sth off

To stop providing something that someone needs, like water, gas, or financial support.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: The company cut off us because we didn't pay.

Say: 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'.

More on “stop supply (water, money, etc.)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some parents cut off financial support when their children finish university to encourage independence.

Tell it apart

They cut off our gas for non-payment.

  • stopped the supply

We got cut off mid-call.

  • the phone line dropped

Goes with

  • cut off + supply
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Next meaning: isolate (separate from others or from help)

Meaning 3

isolate (separate from others or from help)

  • cut sb/sth off

To make someone or something unable to reach or communicate with others, often by blocking the way or by distance.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: The storm cut off us for three days.

Say: The storm cut us off for three days.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cut us off'.

More on “isolate (separate from others or from help)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the pandemic, many elderly people felt cut off from their families because they couldn't visit each other.

Tell it apart

The landslide cut off the only road.

  • isolated it

They cut off his allowance.

  • stopped the supply of money

Goes with

  • cut off + place/person
Practice saying this
Next meaning: interrupt abruptly

Meaning 4

interrupt abruptly

  • cut sb off sth

To stop someone from speaking or expressing themselves by interrupting them suddenly, often before they have finished.

How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

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.

Common mistake

Not: He cut off me in the middle of my point.

Say: He cut me off in the middle of my point.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cut me off'.

More on “interrupt abruptly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the debate, one candidate repeatedly cut off his opponent, making it difficult for her to finish her arguments.

Tell it apart

He cut me off before I finished.

  • interrupted me

He cut in to add something.

  • broke into the conversation

Goes with

  • cut + person + off
Practice saying this
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disconnect (phone, electricity, etc.)stop supply (water, money, etc.)isolate (separate from others or from help)interrupt abruptly