What Does “Cut sth away” Mean?
“Cut sth away” means to remove a part of something by cutting it off. It usually refers to physically cutting something to get rid of unwanted parts.
Introduction
The phrase “cut sth away” is a useful phrasal verb in English. It means to remove part of an object, usually by cutting. This action often involves taking away something unwanted or unnecessary. For example, a doctor might cut away damaged tissue, or a gardener could cut away dead branches from a tree. Understanding the cut sth away meaning helps learners use the phrase correctly in everyday speech and writing. It is common in both literal and figurative contexts, making it a versatile expression.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cut sth away (cut something away)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1–B2
- Short meaning: remove part of something by cutting
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Cut sth away” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between “cut” and “away,” or after “away.”
- cut something away
- cut away something
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common in everyday speech.
How to Use “Cut sth away”?
Use “cut sth away” when you want to describe removing a part of something by cutting. It is often used in contexts like medicine, gardening, cooking, and crafts. You can use it with both concrete objects and, sometimes, in a figurative sense (e.g., cutting away problems).
Example contexts include:
- Doctors cutting away damaged tissue.
- Gardeners cutting away dead leaves.
- Chefs cutting away fat from meat.
- Engineers cutting away excess material.
Examples
- The surgeon had to cut away the infected part of the skin.
- She carefully cut away the dead leaves from the plant.
- They cut the old wires away before installing new ones.
- He cut away the excess fabric to make the dress fit better.
- We need to cut away the broken branch to prevent damage.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I cut away the cake.
Correct: I cut away the burnt part of the cake. - Incorrect: She cut away carefully the paper.
Correct: She carefully cut away the paper. - Incorrect: They cut away from the tree the dead branch.
Correct: They cut away the dead branch from the tree.
Differences / Synonyms
Cut sth away vs. Cut sth off: “Cut away” usually means removing a part from the main object, often carefully or selectively. “Cut off” means to remove something completely or to separate it from the whole.
Cut sth away vs. Trim: “Trim” means to cut a small amount to make something neat, while “cut away” is more about removing unwanted or damaged parts.
Common Collocations
- Cut away dead leaves
- Cut away damaged tissue
- Cut away excess fabric
- Cut away broken branches
- Cut away old wires
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of cut sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: The plant looks unhealthy. What should I do?
Tom: You should cut away the dead leaves. That will help it grow better.
Anna: Okay, I’ll carefully cut away the brown parts today.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “cut away”:
She _______ the broken branch from the tree to prevent accidents.
- a) cut away
- b) cut off
- c) cut out
- d) cut down
FAQs
- Q: Can “cut away” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, sometimes it means removing problems or unnecessary parts in a non-physical way. - Q: Is “cut away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “cut” and “away” or after “away.” - Q: What is the difference between “cut away” and “cut off”?
A: “Cut away” removes part of something, while “cut off” separates completely. - Q: Is “cut away” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I say “cut away the whole branch”?
A: Usually, “cut away” refers to part of something, but it can be used for whole parts if the context fits.
