cut out

verb

1. tr to delete or remove
2. tr to shape or form by cutting

   to cut out a dress

3. tr; usually passive to suit or equip for

   you're not cut out for this job

4. intr (of an engine, etc) to cease to operate suddenly
5. tr printing to remove the background from a photograph or drawing to make the outline of the subject stand out
6. intr (of an electrical device) to switch off, usually automatically
7. informal.
   tr to oust and supplant (a rival)
8. intr (of a person) to be excluded from a card game
9. informal.
   tr to cease doing something, esp something undesirable (esp in the phrase cut it out )
10. tr soccer to intercept (a pass)
11. tr to separate (cattle) from a herd
12. intr to end or finish

    the road cuts out at the creek

13. have one's work cut out
    to have as much work as one can manage

noun

1. something that has been or is intended to be cut out from something else
2. a photograph or drawing from which the background has been cut away
3. a device that switches off or interrupts an electric circuit, esp a switch acting as a safety device
4. an impressed stamp cut out from an envelope for collecting purposes
5. slang.
   the end of shearing

Example Sentences

The new surgeon general certainly has his work cut out for him.

From The Daily Beast

In addition, because House Democrats were cut out of the negotiations over the bill, they don't feel any incentive to play ball.

From The Daily Beast

I used to cut out the full-page movie ads from the Sunday New York Times each week, just to look at them.

From The Daily Beast

I prefaced it by saying, “Bill Clinton was such a dog, that…” so they cut out the story angle.

From The Daily Beast

“There are two entire chapters that were cut out that I'm sorry about,” Caro said.

From The Daily Beast

To attempt to cut out Mrs. Kaye I should need a little genuine enthusiasm; and frankly, your beloved prodigy does not inspire it.

From Project Gutenberg

She was so handy with a needle, and allus ready to cut out calico dingusses that the peon gals could sew up.

From Project Gutenberg

The round form of many of the latter is especially remarkable: they almost seem to have been cut out with a chisel.

From Project Gutenberg

Her name and his initials were all that was written in the book; very carefully she cut out the entire page.

From Project Gutenberg

The 29th attackers had sewn on to their backs triangles cut out of kerosine tins.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• carve
• delete
• eliminate
• extract
• pull out
• sever