To reduce the amount, size, or extent of something, especially spending or activity; also to prune a plant.
To spend less money or do less of something, or to trim a plant to make it grow better.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To reduce spending, production, or activity, especially to save money.
"The company has cut back on hiring because of the economic slowdown."
We need to cut back on our spending.
— Widely used phrase in UK and US government budget speeches; commonly attributed to political discourse from the 2008 financial crisis period.
To prune or trim a plant by cutting its branches or stems back.
"You should cut back the rose bushes in late autumn to encourage new growth in spring."
To return to a previous location or point, often suddenly or in a zigzag pattern.
"The fox cut back across the field, confusing the dogs that were chasing it."
To cut something back to a shorter or smaller state.
To spend less money or do less of something, or to trim a plant to make it grow better.
Very common in economic and personal finance contexts ('cut back on spending'). Also widely used in gardening ('cut back the roses in autumn'). Often followed by 'on' when intransitive.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "cut back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.