# cut in

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cut-in
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to interrupt someone while they are talking. You also use this when a driver moves their car suddenly in front of yours.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He cut in me." but "He cut in on me." — the preposition 'on' is required when specifying the person who was interrupted.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.