Meaning trap
cut in
suddenly drive in front of another vehicle
To move your vehicle quickly in front of another car, often without enough space or warning.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To move your vehicle quickly in front of another car, often without enough space or warning.
Another meaning of 'cut in' is 'interrupt someone who is speaking'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
A car cut in right in front of me on the highway, and I had to brake hard.
One problem with city driving is that some drivers cut in without signaling, which can cause accidents.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: A car cut in me on the motorway.
Say: A car cut in front of me on the motorway.
Use 'cut in front of' someone when driving — not 'cut in' someone.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Cut in' is the natural driving complaint; the long description reads like a written accident report.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
cut in (front of)
- in front of me
- suddenly
- without indicating
- a car
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- cut in (interrupt someone who is speaking) — Another meaning of 'cut in' is 'interrupt someone who is speaking'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.