English · Daily Life

cut down

/kʌt daʊn/

[/kʌt daʊn/]

reduce

Intermediateverb

Definition

To reduce the amount of something you do or use. It can also mean to chop down a tree.

Example

The doctor told him to cut down on sugar.

The doctor told him to cut down on sugar.

Etymology

From 'cut' plus 'down', extending the idea of cutting something to a lower level.

How & Where It’s Used

Common in health and budgeting contexts.

Watch “reduce” pronunciation on YouTube
phrasal-verb