1 B1 neutral
To interrupt a conversation or what someone is saying.
""Sorry to cut in," she said, "but I think I have the answer to that question.""
inseparable
cut in
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To interrupt a conversation or activity; to move in front of someone else in a queue or in traffic; to ask someone to dance.
In plain English
To suddenly join a conversation or a queue when it is not your turn, or to move in front of someone's car.
What does "cut in" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To move suddenly in front of another vehicle in traffic.
"A red car cut in right in front of me on the motorway, forcing me to brake hard."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
To approach a couple dancing and ask one of them to dance with you instead.
"Halfway through the waltz, her brother cut in and danced her to the other side of the room."
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic informal
To include someone in a share of profits or a deal.
"If you help me set this up, I'll cut you in for twenty percent."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cut into a space, inserting oneself into it.
Actually means
To suddenly join a conversation or a queue when it is not your turn, or to move in front of someone's car.
Usage tip
Common in everyday speech. In the driving sense, 'cutting in' (or 'cutting someone up') is considered rude and dangerous. In the dancing sense, it is a traditional, usually polite custom. Also used in business to mean including someone in a deal.
Words that pair with "cut in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
conversation traffic queue dance deal profits
How to conjugate "cut in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cut in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cuts in
he/she/it
Past simple
cut in
yesterday
Past participle
cut in
have + pp
-ing form
cutting in
continuous
Hear "cut in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cut in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.