cut away
B1 neutral separable both
In simple words
To cut a piece off something to remove it, or (in TV/film) to suddenly show a different scene.
Literal meaning: To cut something so that it falls or moves away from the main object.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To remove a part of something by cutting it off.
"She cut away the damaged section of the fabric before sewing the patch in."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral
In film, television, or broadcasting, to switch abruptly to a different image or scene.
"The director cut away to a close-up of the crowd just as the singer hit the final note."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The film/TV sense ('cutaway') is common in media studies and journalism. In the literal sense, it's used in gardening, surgery, and construction. 'Cutaway' as a noun/adjective (e.g., cutaway shot) is standard in media production.
Commonly used with
branch fat dead wood scene shot excess
Forms
Base
cut away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cuts away
he/she/it
Past simple
cut away
yesterday
Past participle
cut away
have + pp
-ing form
cutting away
continuous
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