Meaning & use
cutting the ribbon
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Meaning
phraseintransitive
The act of formally opening a new building, road, or event by cutting a ceremonial ribbon.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase or part of a verb phrase. It does not take a direct object; the ribbon is understood.
Patterns
- cutting the ribbon at a ceremony
- after cutting the ribbon
The mayor will be cutting the ribbon at the new library tomorrow.
Cutting the ribbon is a traditional way to mark the opening of a new business.
After cutting the ribbon, everyone was invited inside for refreshments.
Common combinations
- cutting the ribbon at a ceremony
- The CEO insisted on cutting the ribbon at the ceremony herself.
- the ribbon-cutting ceremony
- The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by many local residents.
- after cutting the ribbon
- After cutting the ribbon, the doors were opened to the public.
Synonyms and how they differ
- opening ceremony
- An opening ceremony is the whole event, which may include cutting the ribbon. Cutting the ribbon is just one part of it.
- inauguration
- Inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of something, often used for officials. Cutting the ribbon is specifically for opening a physical place or event.
Word family
- cut the ribbon phrase
- The base form of the phrase, meaning to perform the ceremonial act.
- ribbon-cutting noun
- The event or ceremony of cutting a ribbon, often used before another noun: ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cutting the ribbon' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer uses 'cutting the ribbon' in its ceremonial sense of opening a new place. The other options use 'cut' and 'ribbon' literally, which is not the meaning of this fixed phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cutting the ribbon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.