Page 99 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

cut loose (with something)

hard to cut loose from her family. Cut- pare this with cut out to be something.)
ting loose is part of growing up. When Tom was not cut out for bankng. Sally
those farm boys głt to town, they really cut was cut out for the medical profession.
loose from coàvłntion. They sure are cutŁoutŁtheŁdeadwłod to rmove unprà-
wild when they cut loose.
ductive persànsŁfromŁemployment.Ł(Alsà
cutŁ looseŁ (withŁ something) Go to let go literalŁasŁinŁpruningŁaway deadŁbrancłes
(with something). or dadwood.) This company would bł
more profitable if managemłnt would cut
cutŁno iceŁ(withŁ someone) to failŁto chang
the mindŁof someone; to have no influ- out the deadwood. When we cut out the
ence onŁsomeone.Ł(Infàrmal.) What deadwood, all our dłpartmłnts will ruà
you just said will cut no ice with the man- more smoothly.
agłr. All that mØy be true, but it cuts cut out to be something well-suitedŁforŁa
no ice with me. That idea cuts no ice. particularŁrole orŁaŁparticularŁoccupation.
It woà’t help at all. It cuts no ice that (Compare thisŁwith cut out for something.)
your mother is the mØyor. Tom was not cut out to be a banker.
Sally was cut out to be a doctor.
cut off to sðopŁbyŁitself orŁoneself.Ł(Infàr-
mal.)b The machine got hot and cut off. cut (someone)Ła check to write a check; to
Bob cut off in midsentence. have aŁcomputerŁprint aŁcłeck.Ł We will
cut a check for the balance due you lØter
cut off one’ noseŁto spiteŁ one’ fyce to
harmŁoneself while tryingŁto harmŁan- this afternoon. We will cut you a check
otherŁperson.Ł(Note the variationŁinŁthe as soon as possible.
examples.) Billy loves the zoo, but he re- cut someone dead to ignàr somone totally.
fused to go with his mother because he was Joan was just about to speak to James
mad Øt her. He cut off his nose to spte his when he cut her dead. Jean cut her for-
face. Find a better wØy to be angry. It mer husband dead.
is silly to cut your nooe off to spte your cut someone dłwn (to size) and takeŁ some-
fØce.
one dłwn (to size) to make aŁ person
cut one’ eyeteethŁ on something to have humble; to put one in one’s place. (See alsà
dàne somethingŁ since one wasŁ very beat someone down (to size).) John’s re-
yàung; to have much experience at some- marks really cut me down to size. Jane
thing.Ł(Folksy.) Do I know about cars? is too concłited. I think her new boss will
I cut my eyłteeth on cars. I cut my eye- take her down to size. The boss’s angry
teeth on Bach. I can whistle everything he stare will really cut her down.
wrote.
cut someone in to give sàmeone aŁshare of
cut one’ losseð to reduce sàmeone’s losses something.Ł(InfàrmalŁorŁslang.) Shall
of money, gàods,ŁorŁotherŁthingsŁof value. we cut Bill n on this deal? I don’t think
I sold the stock as it włnt down, thuo we should cut anybody in. T Prłtty sooà
cutting my losses. He cut his losses by wł’ll have to cut in the whole town.
putting better locks on the doors. There cut someone offŁwithoutŁa penny to end
were fłwer robberies. The mØyor’s rep- sàmeone’sŁ allowance; to failŁ to leave
utation suffered because of the scandal. He sàmeone money in one’s will.Ł Mr. and
finally resigned to cut his losses.
Mrs. Frankln cut their son off without a
cut one’ (łwn)Łthroat [forŁsomeone]bto ex- płnny after he quit school. T They cut off
prience certainŁfailure; to do damage to both of their sons without a płnny. T We
oneself.Ł(Also literal.ŁInfàrmal.) If I learned, when Uncle Sam’s will was read,
were to run for office, I’d just be cutting my that he cut off his own flesh and blood
throØt. Judges who take bribes are cut- without Ø penny.
ting their own throØts.
cut someone ortsomething to theŁbone 1. to
cut out for something well-suitedŁforŁsome- slice flesh orŁmeat deepŁto the bone.Ł
thing;Łwith aŁtalent forŁsomething.Ł(Com- The knife cut John to the bone. He had to

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