cut into
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To slice into something, or to use up a big part of your money or time.
Literal meaning: To move a cutting instrument into the surface of something.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To use a knife or other tool to make a cut in or through something.
"She cut into the roast chicken to check if it was cooked through."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To reduce or take a significant share of something such as money or time.
"The new rent increase is really cutting into our monthly budget."
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To interrupt someone who is speaking.
"He cut into our conversation with a remark that silenced everyone."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in both literal (cooking, surgery) and figurative (finance, time) contexts. The figurative sense ('cut into our profits') is frequent in business English.
Commonly used with
profit savings meat cake schedule budget
Forms
Base
cut into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cuts into
he/she/it
Past simple
cut into
yesterday
Past participle
cut into
have + pp
-ing form
cutting into
continuous
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