WordLens

cut in

1 of 1verb
/ˈkʌt ɪn/
Forms:cuts in,cutting in,cut in,cut in
1

to interrupt someone's conversation

  • Despite the serious discussion, he couldn't resist the urge to cut in with a lighthearted comment.
  • She decided to cut in when she overheard a misunderstanding to provide clarification.
  • The teacher had to cut in to redirect the students' off-topic conversation back to the lesson.
  • During the meeting, the manager had to cut in to address a crucial point that was being overlooked.
  • It's impolite to cut in while others are speaking; it's important to wait for an appropriate moment to share your thoughts.
2

to rudely move ahead of others who are waiting in a line

  • The teacher reprimanded the student who tried to cut in during the lunch line.
  • Rather than waiting for their turn, the group decided to cut in at the amusement park ride.
  • He attempted to cut in during the crowded bus boarding, ignoring the waiting passengers.
  • Despite the long line at the grocery store, she tried to cut in at the checkout.
3

to drive a vehicle into the space in front of another, providing minimal room for the latter to navigate comfortably

  • Frustrated by the slow-moving traffic, he decided to cut in, narrowly squeezing into the lane.
  • The aggressive driver abruptly cut in, causing the car behind to slam on its brakes to avoid a collision.
  • During rush hour, some motorists impatiently cut in, creating tension and potential hazards on the road.
  • The defensive driver maintained a safe following distance, avoiding the need to cut in abruptly.
4

to join a dance by politely replacing one person in the dancing pair

  • As the lively music played, he couldn't resist the urge to cut in and dance with her.
  • During the ball, it was considered polite to wait for a suitable moment to cut in and ask for a dance.
  • Despite being in the middle of a waltz, he decided to cut in and steal a dance with the elegant lady.
  • The dance floor was crowded, but he managed to cut in and invite her for a spin around the room.
  • At social events, it was customary for gentlemen to wait for an invitation to cut in rather than disrupting ongoing dances.
5

to blend or mix ingredients together with cutting or chopping motions, often in a cooking or food preparation context

  • To make salsa, you can cut in tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for a fresh and flavorful mix.
  • The chef demonstrated how to cut in butter when making a flaky pie crust.
  • For a crumbly texture, you need to cut in the cold butter evenly into the flour for the biscuit dough.
  • When preparing pastry dough, it's essential to cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • The recipe requires you to cut in the eggs gradually while making the pasta dough to achieve the right consistency.
6

to let someone have a portion of something or share in a benefit, profit, or activity

  • The generous business owner decided to cut in the hardworking employees on the company's success with a year-end bonus.
  • In recognition of their contributions, the team leader agreed to cut in the junior members on the project's rewards.
  • The artist chose to cut in the collaborating designer on the profits from the jointly created artwork.
  • The restaurant owner decided to cut in the loyal customers on a special discount as a token of appreciation.
  • When the venture succeeded, the entrepreneur was eager to cut in the investors on the lucrative returns.
7

to activate a specific part or function of a machine when it becomes necessary or required for operation

  • The cooling system automatically cuts in when the engine reaches a certain temperature.
  • The backup generator is designed to cut in immediately in case of a power outage.
  • The emergency lighting system is programmed to cut in when the main power source fails.
  • The electronic stability control will cut in to help stabilize the vehicle during slippery road conditions.