cut down

verb

cut down; cutting down; cuts down

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike down and kill or incapacitate

b

: knock down

2

a

: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings

b

: to remake in a smaller size

intransitive verb

: to reduce or curtail volume or activity

cut down on smoking

Phrases

cut down to size

: to reduce from an inflated or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature

Examples of cut down in a Sentence

we need to cut down that dying tree

Recent Examples on the Web

For Schaeffler’s global factories, however, the focus is on localizing and consolidating more operations into one location closer to the customer, to cut down on shipping, logistics, storage, and CO2 footprint. —Carolyn Schwaar, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

More:Looking for Christmas tree farms to cut down your own? —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024

The Petaluma Reusable Cup initiative creates a system for patrons to reuse cups from local restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in an effort to cut down on waste. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

This is all part of Apple’s long-term strategy of developing components in-house to cut down on costs and have greater control over its supply chain. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

cut down

verb

1

: to knock down and kill or wound

2

: to make over in a smaller size

3

: to reduce something in amount

cut down on energy use

Medical Definition

cutdown

noun

cut·​down ˈkət-ˌdau̇n 

: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)