ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cut off

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to stop the supply of something like water or power, or to separate someone from others so they are alone.

phr. v.. to interrupt or terminate a supply, communication, or physical connection; also used to describe isolating a person or place.


SIMPLE

The company cut off our electricity because we didn't pay.

CONTEXTUAL

Heavy snow cut off the mountain village from the rest of the country for three days.

COMPLEX

The sudden collapse of the bridge effectively cut off the retreating army from their primary supply lines and reinforcements.

Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
cut + (object) + off
Usage

often used in the passive voice when describing people or places that become isolated.

Teaching tip

this verb has several distinct senses; focus on the 'interruption of supply' and 'isolation' meanings as they are most common in B1-B2 contexts.

Pitfall

The storm cut off of the power.The storm cut off the power.the verb is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'of'.

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