Idiom idiom
cut one's losses
Meaning
To stop an activity that is unsuccessful to avoid losing more money.
Examples
“The business is failing, so it is time to cut our losses.”
“After spending hundreds of dollars on the old car, he decided to cut his losses and sell it for parts.”
“The board of directors realized the project would never be profitable, so they chose to cut their losses before the company's debt increased further.”
Last updated July 14, 2026