cut short

- 7 dictionary results

short

[shawrt]

adjective, -er, -est, adverb, noun, verb

Use cut short in a Sentence

See web results for cut short

See images of cut short

–adjective

1.	having little length; not long.

2.	having little height; not tall: a short man.

3.	extending or reaching only a little way: a short path.

4.	brief in duration; not extensive in time: a short wait.

5.	brief or concise, as writing.

6.	rudely brief; abrupt; hurting: short behavior.

7.	low in amount; scanty: short rations.

8.	not reaching a point, mark, target, or the like; not long enough or far enough.

9.	below the standard in extent, quantity, duration, etc.: short measure.

10.	having a scanty or insufficient amount of (often fol. by in or on): He was short in experience.

11.	being below a necessary or desired level; lacking: The office is short due to winter colds and flu.

12.

Cookery.

a.	(of pastry and the like) crisp and flaky; breaking or crumbling readily from being made with a large proportion of butter or other shortening.

b.	(of dough) containing a relatively large amount of shortening.

13.	(of metals) deficient in tenacity; friable; brittle.

14.	(of the head or skull) of less than ordinary length from front to back.

15.

Stock Exchange.

a.	not possessing at the time of sale commodities or stocks that one sells.

b.	noting or pertaining to a sale of commodities or stocks that the seller does not possess, depending for profit on a decline in prices.

16.

Phonetics.

a.	lasting a relatively short time: “Bit” has a shorter vowel-sound than “bid” or “bead.”

belonging to a class of sounds considered as usually shorter in duration than another class, as the vowel of but as compared to that of bought, and in many languages serving as a distinctive feature of phonemes, as the a in German Bann in contrast with the ah in Bahn, or the t in Italian fato in contrast with the tt in fatto (opposed to long ).

c.	having the sound of the English vowels in bat, bet, bit, hot, but, and put, historically descended from vowels that were short in duration.

17.

Prosody.

a.	(of a syllable in quantitative verse) lasting a relatively shorter time than a long syllable.

b.	unstressed.

18.	(of an alcoholic drink) small: a short drink.

19.	Chiefly British. (of whiskey) undiluted; straight.

20.	Ceramics. (of clay) not plastic enough to be modeled.

21.	Ropemaking. hard (def. 39).

–adverb

22.	abruptly or suddenly: to stop short.

23.	briefly; curtly.

24.	on the near side of an intended or particular point: The arrow landed short.

25.

Baseball.

a.	with the hands higher on the handle of the bat than usual: He held the bat short and flied out.

b.	in a fielding position closer to home plate than usual.

–noun

26.	something that is short.

27.	that which is deficient or lacking.

28.	the sum and substance of a matter; gist (usually prec. by the).

29.

shorts,

a.	trousers, knee-length or shorter.

b.	short pants worn by men as an undergarment.

c.	knee breeches, formerly worn by men.

d.	Finance. short-term bonds.

e.	Mining. crushed ore failing to pass through a given screen, thus being of a larger given size than a specific grade. Compare fine (def. 29a).

f.	remnants, discards, or refuse of various cutting and manufacturing processes.

30.	a size of garment for men who are shorter than average: He wears a 42 short.

31.	a garment, as a suit or overcoat, in such a size.

32.	Military. a shot that strikes or bursts short of the target.

33.	Electricity. short circuit.

34.	Prosody. a short sound or syllable.

35.	Baseball. shortstop (def. 1).

36.	Movies. short subject.

37.	Finance. short seller.

38.	a deficiency or the amount of a deficiency.

39.	Chiefly British. a small drink of straight whiskey; shot.

–verb (used with object)

40.	to cause a short circuit in.

41.	to cheat by giving less than is expected or deserved; shortchange.

–verb (used without object)

42.	to short-circuit.

—Idioms

43.

come or fall short,

a.	to fail to reach a particular standard.

b.	to prove insufficient; be lacking: Her funds fell short, and she had to wire home for help.

44.	cut short, to end abruptly; terminate: Her nap was cut short by a loud noise from outside.

45.	for short, by way of abbreviation: Her name is Patricia, and she's called Pat for short.

46.

in short,

a.	in summary.

b.	in few words; in brief: In short, this has been rather a disappointing day.

47.	make short work of. work (def. 52).

48.	run short, to be in insufficient supply: My patience is running short.

49.

sell short,

a.	Stock Exchange. to sell stocks or the like without having them in one's actual possession at the time of the sale.

b.	to disparage or underestimate: Don't sell Tom short; he's really an excellent engineer.

50.

short and sweet,

a.	pleasantly brief.

b.	pertinent: We're in a hurry, so make it short and sweet.

51.	short for, being a shorter form of; abbreviated to: “Phone” is short for “telephone.”

52.

short of,

a.	less than; inferior to.

b.	inadequately supplied with (money, food, etc.).

c.	without going to the length of; failing of; excluding: Short of murder, there is nothing he wouldn't have tried to get what he wanted.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME schort (adj.), OE sceort; c. OHG scurz short, ON skortr shortness, scarcity

Related forms:

shortness, noun

Synonyms:
4. Short, brief are opposed to long, and indicate slight extent or duration. Short may imply duration but is also applied to physical distance and certain purely spatial relations: a short journey. Brief refers esp. to duration of time: brief intervals. 5. terse, succinct, laconic, condensed. 6. curt, sharp, testy. 7. poor, deficient, inadequate, wanting, lacking. 12. crumbly. 14. brachycephalic.

Antonyms:
3, 4. long.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To cut short

cut (kŭt)

v. cut, cut·ting, cuts

v. tr.

To penetrate with a sharp edge; strike a narrow opening in.
To separate into parts with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument; sever: cut cloth with scissors.
To sever the edges or ends of; shorten: cut one's hair.
To mow, reap, or harvest: cut grain; cut grass.
To fell by sawing; hew.
To have (a new tooth) grow through the gums.
1. To form or shape by severing or incising: a doll that was cut from paper.
2. To form or shape by grinding: cut a diamond.
3. To form by penetrating, probing, or digging: cut a trench.
4. To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of: cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.
5. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.
6. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.
7. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.
8. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.
9. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
10. To perform: cut a caper.
11. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
12. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
13. To make a recording of.
1. To form by penetrating, probing, or digging: cut a trench.
2. To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of: cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.
3. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.
4. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.
5. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.
6. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.
7. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
8. To perform: cut a caper.
9. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
10. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
11. To make a recording of.
1. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.
2. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.
3. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.
4. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.
5. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
6. To perform: cut a caper.
7. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
8. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
9. To make a recording of.
To pass through or across; cross: a sailboat cutting the water.
Games To divide (a deck of cards) into two parts, as in completing a shuffle or in exposing a card at random.
To reduce the size, extent, or duration of; curtail or shorten: cut a payroll; cut a budget; cut the cooking time in half.
1. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.
2. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
3. To perform: cut a caper.
4. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
5. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
6. To make a recording of.
To lessen the strength of; dilute: cut whiskey with water.
To dissolve by breaking down the fat of: Soap cuts grease.
To injure the feelings of; hurt keenly.
To refuse to speak to or recognize; snub: cut me dead at the party.
To fail to attend purposely: cut a class.
Informal To cease; stop: cut the noise; cut an engine.
Sports To strike (a ball) so that it spins in a reverse direction.
1. To perform: cut a caper.
2. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
3. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
4. To make a recording of.
Slang To be able to manage; handle successfully: couldn't cut the long hours anymore.
To stop filming (a movie scene).
1. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
2. To make a recording of.
To edit (film or recording tape).
Vulgar Slang To expel (a discharge of intestinal gas).

v. intr.

To make an incision or a separation: Cut along the dotted line.
To allow incision or severing: Butter cuts easily.
To function as a sharp-edged instrument.
1. To remove part of something, such as a text or film.
2. Computer Science To remove a part of a document or graphics file and store it in a buffer.
To grow through the gums. Used of teeth.
To injure someone's feelings: a remark that cut without mercy.
To change direction abruptly: Cut to the left at the next intersection.
To go directly and often hastily: cut across a field.
Games To divide a pack of cards into two parts, especially in order to make a chance decision or selection.
To make an abrupt change of image or sound, as in filming: cut from one shot to another.
To be very astute and penetrating: an analysis that cuts deep.

The act of cutting.
The result of cutting, especially an opening or wound made by a sharp edge.
A part that has been cut from a main body: a cut of beef; a cut of cloth.
A passage made by digging or probing.
The elimination or removal of a part: a cut in a speech.
A reduction: a cut in salary.
Sports The remainder of contestants in a competition, especially in golf, after some have been eliminated: did very well but still missed the cut.
The style in which a garment is cut: a suit of traditional cut.
A haircut.
Informal A portion of profits or earnings; a share.
A wounding remark; an insult.
An unexcused absence, as from school or a class.
A step in a scale of value or quality; degree: a cut above the average.
Printing
1. An engraved block or plate.
2. A print made from such a block.
Sports A stroke that causes a ball to spin in a reverse direction.
Baseball A swing of a bat.
Games The act of dividing a deck of cards into two parts, as before dealing.
One of the objects used in drawing lots.
An abrupt change of image or sound, as between shots in a film.
A transition from one scene to another in a film, video, or television program.
A movie at a given stage in its editing: approved the final cut for distribution.
A single selection of music from a recording, especially a phonograph recording.

adj.

Having the ends or edges cut: admired his newly cut hair.
Having been cut or clipped off: cut grass that blew in the wind.
Printing Having the page edge slit or trimmed. Used of a book.
Ground to a specific shape: cut gemstones.
Slang Circumcised. Used of a man or boy.
To shorten by cutting; prune.
To reduce or decrease: cut back production.
To kill or strike down.
To alter by removing extra or additional fittings: cut down a car for racing.
To reduce the amount taken or used: cutting down on one's intake of rich foods.
To move into a line of people or things out of turn.
To interrupt: During the debate my opponent kept cutting in.
To interrupt a dancing couple in order to dance with one of them.
To connect or become connected into an electrical circuit.
To mix in with or as if with cutting motions: Measure out the flour and use a pair of knives to cut the shortening in.
To include, especially among those profiting.
To separate from others; isolate.
To stop suddenly; discontinue.
To shut off; bar.
To interrupt the course or passage of: The infielder cut off the throw to the plate.
To interrupt or break the line of communication of: The telephone operator cut us off.
To disinherit: cut their heirs off without a cent.
To remove by or as if by cutting.
To form or shape by or as if by cutting.
To take the place of; supplant.
To suit or fit by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.
To assign beforehand or by necessity; predetermine: We've got our work cut out for us.
To deprive: felt cut out of all the fun.
To stop; cease.
Informal To depart hastily.
Chiefly Southern U.S. To turn off (a light or television set).
To behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way; clown.
To criticize severely.

Phrasal Verb(s):
cut back

To shorten by cutting; prune.
To reduce or decrease: cut back production.

cut down

To kill or strike down.
To alter by removing extra or additional fittings: cut down a car for racing.
To reduce the amount taken or used: cutting down on one's intake of rich foods.

cut in

To move into a line of people or things out of turn.
To interrupt: During the debate my opponent kept cutting in.
To interrupt a dancing couple in order to dance with one of them.
To connect or become connected into an electrical circuit.
To mix in with or as if with cutting motions: Measure out the flour and use a pair of knives to cut the shortening in.
To include, especially among those profiting.

cut off

To separate from others; isolate.
To stop suddenly; discontinue.
To shut off; bar.
To interrupt the course or passage of: The infielder cut off the throw to the plate.
To interrupt or break the line of communication of: The telephone operator cut us off.
To disinherit: cut their heirs off without a cent.

cut out

To remove by or as if by cutting.
To form or shape by or as if by cutting.
To take the place of; supplant.
To suit or fit by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.
To assign beforehand or by necessity; predetermine: We've got our work cut out for us.
To deprive: felt cut out of all the fun.
To stop; cease.
Informal To depart hastily.
Chiefly Southern U.S. To turn off (a light or television set).

cut up Informal

To behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way; clown.
To criticize severely.

Idiom(s):
cut a fat hog Texas To take on more than one is able to accomplish: "Boy, has he cut a fat hog, as they say down home" (Hughes Rudd).

Idiom(s):
cut a wide swathTo make a big display; draw much attention.

Idiom(s):
cut both waysTo have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications.

Idiom(s):
cut cornersTo do something in the easiest or most inexpensive way.

Idiom(s):
cut down to sizeTo deflate the self-importance of.

Idiom(s):
cut it Informal To perform up to expectations or a required standard; be acceptable.

Idiom(s):
cut looseTo speak or act without restraint: cut loose with a string of curses.

Idiom(s):
cut no iceTo make no effect or impression: an objection that cut no ice with management.

Idiom(s):
cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) faceTo injure oneself in taking revenge against another.

Idiom(s):
cut (one's) lossesTo withdraw from a losing situation.

Idiom(s):
cut (one's) teeth onTo learn or do as a beginner or at the start of one's career.

Idiom(s):
cut shortTo stop before the end; abbreviate.

Idiom(s):
cut the cheese Vulgar Slang To expel intestinal gas.

Idiom(s):
cut the mustardTo perform up to expectations or to a required standard.

Idiom(s):
cut to the chaseTo get to the matter at hand.

[Middle English cutten.]
cut'ta·ble adj.

Slang Dictionary

short

n.
a small drink of hard liquor or of beer. : I'll have a short and a pack of cigarettes.
mod.
having to do with a single drink of undiluted liquor. : I'll take mine short, innkeeper.
n.
a purchase of drugs that counts or weighs out less than the amount agreed upon. : You gave me a short. Fix it now, or this thing goes off accidentally in your ear.
tv.
to give someone less of something than was agreed upon. : They shorted us on the last order, so we switched suppliers.
n.
a car. (Streets.) : Man, that's some short you got!
n.
the sale of borrowed shares of stock; a short sale. (Securities markets.) : There is a lot of covering of shorts this week. After that the market is in for a steady decline.
tv.
to sell borrowed stock. (Securities markets.) : The way the deficit is running, I'd short the whole market.

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source

No Banner Ads. Faster Page Loading.

Get the FREE Dictionary.com Toolbar.

Word Origin & History

short (adj.)

O.E. sceort, scort, probably from P.Gmc. *skurta- (cf. O.N. skorta "to be short of," skort "shortness;" O.H.G. scurz "short"), from PIE base *sker- "to cut," with notion of "something cut off" (cf. Skt. krdhuh "shortened, maimed, small;" L. curtus "short," cordus "late-born," originally "stunted in growth;" O.C.S. kratuku, Rus. korotkij "short;" Lith. skurstu "to be stunted," skardus "steep;" O.Ir. cert "small," M.Ir. corr "stunted, dwarfish"). Meaning "rude" is attested from 1390. Shorty "short person" is recorded from 1888. To fall short is from archery. Shortage is attested from 1868. Short cut is from 1568. Short fuse in fig. sense of "quick temper" first attested 1968. Short story first recorded 1877. Short list dates from 1927. To make short work of is first attested 1577. Phrase short and sweet is from 1539.

Financial Dictionary

short

See short position 1, 2 short sale.

Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: short
Function: adverb
: by or as if by a short sale short>

Idioms & Phrases

cut short

Abbreviate, stop abruptly, as in The thunderstorm cut short our picnic, or She cut her short, saying she'd already heard the story of their breakup. Shakespeare used this term to mean "put a sudden end to someone's life": "Rather than bloody war shall cut them short" (2 Henry VI, 4:4), a less common usage today. The broader usage dates from the mid-1600s.

Search another word or see cut short on Thesaurus | Reference

»flummox
»polemic

»laconic
»scrivener

Facebook TwitterFollow us:

About
·
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Use
·
Advertise with Us
·
Link to Us
·
Contact Us

Partner Sites:

Ask Answers Evite Expedia Hotels Hotwire Life123 LiveDaily My Way