Cut Off – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever lost phone service in a tunnel, been interrupted mid-sentence, or had your electricity shut off for nonpayment? In English, you’d say you were cut off! This versatile phrasal verb means to disconnect, interrupt, or stop the supply of something—whether it’s communication, utilities, conversation, or even access.
What Does “Cut Off” Mean?
“Cut off” has several related meanings:
1. To stop the supply of something—like water, electricity, internet, or money.
2. To interrupt someone while speaking—often abruptly.
3. To isolate or block access—like a town cut off by a snowstorm.
Think of it like severing a connection: once it’s cut, the flow stops. The phrase is practical, vivid, and used frequently in everyday English.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual or neutral conversations:
• For utilities or services: “They cut off our internet for late payment.”
• For interruptions: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cut you off.”
• For isolation: “The village was cut off by flooding.”
It’s common in news reports, daily life, and workplace communication—great for real-world English.
Example Sentences
- The bank cut off his credit line after he missed three payments.
- Don’t cut me off when I’m explaining—I’m almost done!
- After the storm, the whole neighborhood was cut off from the main road.
- My phone cut off during the most important part of the call!
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Why is your fridge empty?”
Jamie: “The power got cut off for two days. Everything spoiled.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t confuse “cut off” with “cut out.” “Cut off” implies a sudden stop or disconnection; “cut out” means to remove or eliminate entirely. Also, “cut off” is often passive when used with services (“The water was cut off”), but active when interrupting (“He cut me off”).
❌ Don’t say: “They cut out our electricity.” (Use “cut off.”)
✅ Do say: “They cut off our electricity.”
Practice Tip
Next time your call drops, you’re interrupted, or a service stops, say: “We got cut off” or “They cut off the water.” It’s a natural way to describe disconnection in English.
Final Note
Now you can use “cut off” to talk about interruptions, disconnections, and isolation with clarity and confidence! It’s a dynamic phrase that captures sudden stops in flow—whether it’s words, power, or access. Keep using it—and remember, if you get cut off, just call back!
