to cut short

Meanings

1. 1phrasetransitive

   To make something last for less time than planned or expected, often by ending it early.

   Grammar: Takes an object: cut something short. Often used in the passive: be cut short.

   Patterns

   • cut something short
   • be cut short by something

   The concert was cut short when the power went out.

   They had to cut their vacation short because of a family emergency.

   He cut his speech short when he saw the audience getting restless.

2. 2phrasetransitive

   To interrupt someone who is speaking, especially to stop them from continuing.

   Grammar: Takes a person as object: cut someone short.

   Patterns

   • cut someone short

   She started to explain, but he cut her short.

   I was about to make my point when the manager cut me short.

   Don't cut him short—let him finish his story.

Common combinations

cut a trip short

We had to cut our trip short due to bad weather.

cut a meeting short

The chairman cut the meeting short to attend another appointment.

cut a speech short

The speaker cut his speech short when he noticed the time.

cut someone short

Please don't cut me short; I haven't finished.

Synonyms and how they differ

interrupt

Focuses on breaking the flow of speech or action, but does not necessarily mean ending something early overall.

truncate

More technical and formal, often used for shortening something by cutting off a part.

abbreviate

Means to make shorter by leaving out parts, typically used for words or texts, not events.

Opposites

Commonly confused: to cut short or cut short?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “to cut short”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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