# cut one's losses

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cut-one's-losses
Updated: 2026-07-14

## 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.