cut down
To use less of something, to chop a tree so it falls, or to make someone fall by hitting or attacking them.
Meanings
To reduce the amount or frequency of something, especially something unhealthy.
"My doctor told me to cut down on caffeine if I want to sleep better."
To cut through a tree at the base so that it falls.
"They cut down the old oak tree because its roots were damaging the foundations of the house."
To kill or seriously injure someone, especially in battle.
"Many young soldiers were cut down in the first hours of the battle."
"They were cut down by machine-gun fire."
— Common formulation in World War I and II historical accounts, widely used in war journalism and literature.
To make someone feel small or worthless by criticizing or belittling them.
"He was always cutting her down in front of their colleagues, which was deeply unfair."
One of the most common phrasal verbs with 'cut'. The 'reduce' sense is very common in health contexts ('cut down on sugar'). The 'fell a tree' sense is literal and transparent. The 'kill or destroy' sense is more literary.
Commonly used with
Forms
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