# cut to pieces

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cut-to-pieces
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To utterly defeat or overwhelm.

## Examples

- The champion cut his opponent to pieces in the final round.
- The experienced team cut the newcomers to pieces during the tournament, winning by a huge score.
- The harsh critic cut the author's new novel to pieces, highlighting every flaw in the plot and character development.

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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.