cut back

1. Shorten by cutting, prune, as in It's time we cut back these bushes . [1860s]

2. Reduce, decrease, as in They are going to cut back defense spending , or We have to cut back production . [c. 1940] Also see cut to the bone .

Example Sentences

With an unblocked defender blowing up the play in the backfield, Herbert cut back to his left, slithering through the defense for a four-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times

As universities cut back there is a risk to the student experience - this year the largest annual study of undergraduates found only 36% in England thought their course was good or very good value for money.

From BBC

The tax rises have led to concerns from businesses that they might have to cut back on hiring, restrict wage increases for staff, and raise prices.

From BBC

The White House cut tens of millions of Americans loose from Medicaid in the great “unwinding” when they let states cut back on the rolls of the poor they were covering during the pandemic even as they doubled down of shipments of munitions and weapons to global hotspots.

From Salon

Beauden Barrett jagged blind, leaving England short-staffed before Jordan cut back on a scissors angle to canter past Genge, exposed once more against pace.

From BBC

Related Words

• curb
• curtail
• cut down
• decrease
• lessen
• lower
• pare
• prune
• reduce
• retrench
• shorten
• slash
• trim