Phrasal verb
cut in
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
cut in
Past
cut in
Past participle
cut in
Definition
phrasal verb. to interrupt someone while they are talking. You also use this when a driver moves their car suddenly in front of yours.
phrasal verb. to interrupt a conversation or an activity; also used in a vehicular context to describe moving abruptly into a line of traffic. The verb is typically intransitive in the conversational sense unless followed by the preposition 'on'.
Examples
“I was telling a story when he suddenly cut in.”
“It is very rude to cut in while someone else is still explaining their point of view.”
“The driver behind us tried to cut in without signaling, nearly causing a multi-car collision on the motorway.”
Examples
simple
“I was telling a story when he suddenly cut in.”
contextual
“It is very rude to cut in while someone else is still explaining their point of view.”
complex
“The driver behind us tried to cut in without signaling, nearly causing a multi-car collision on the motorway.”
Usage
often used alone or followed by 'on' if you want to mention the person being interrupted.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'butt in', which is much more informal and carries a stronger sense of being rude or nosy.
Pitfall
He cut in me.
He cut in on me.
the preposition 'on' is required when specifying the person who was interrupted.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cut + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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