cutback

[ kuht-bak ]

noun

1. a reduction in rate, quantity, etc.:

   a cutback in production.

2. a return in the course of a story, motion picture, etc., to earlier events.
3. Football. a play in which the ball-carrier abruptly reverses direction, especially by starting to make an end run and then turning suddenly to run toward the middle of the line.
4. a maneuver in surfing of heading the surfboard back toward a wave's crest.

cutback

/ ˈkʌtˌbæk /

noun

1. a decrease or reduction
2. another word (esp US) for flashback

verb

1. tr to shorten by cutting off the end; prune
2. whenintr, foll by on to reduce or make a reduction (in)
3. intr (in films) to show an event that took place earlier in the narrative; flash back

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutback¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase cut back

Example Sentences

There have been persistent disagreements about how triggers for water cutbacks should be determined, and how the reductions should be apportioned.

From Los Angeles Times

That hands-off approach is likely to continue under Trump because requiring certain states to accept painful cutbacks may be politically unpalatable, Gold said.

From Los Angeles Times

Across England, job losses and cutbacks in courses are visible, in some cases reducing student choice through reducing modules or closing courses.

From BBC

Then in 2012 nearly 600 jobs were lost, mostly in Port Talbot, in what at the time was the biggest round of cutbacks in 20 years.

From BBC

The former electrical engineer said it was sad to see what was happening, but he admitted it was "not a surprise" after witnessing cutbacks many times during his 25 years at the plant.

From BBC

Related Words

• belt-tightening
• decline
• reduction
• reversal