ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cut back

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to reduce the amount of something you use, spend, or do.

phr. v.. to reduce the consumption, expenditure, or frequency of something; often used in financial or health contexts.


SIMPLE

We need to cut back on our spending.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor told him to cut back on sugar to improve his health.

COMPLEX

The company decided to cut back on its marketing budget after the quarterly reports showed a significant decline in revenue.

Particles
back
Separability
optional
Pattern
cut (+ back) + on + object
Usage

often used with the preposition 'on' before the thing being reduced.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'cut down on' (very similar, often interchangeable) and 'cut out' (to stop completely); 'cut back' often implies a strategic or necessary reduction.

Pitfall

I am trying to cut back the coffee.I am trying to cut back on coffee.when followed by an object, the preposition 'on' is usually required.

© 2026 English Reference