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Phrase Meanings » cut down
What does "cut down" mean?
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Kill, as in The troops were cut down one by one as they crossed the field. [Early 1800s]
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Also, cut down on. Reduce, decrease, as in I want to cut down my caffeine intake, or We have to cut down on our expenses. [Mid-1800s]
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cut down to size; knock down to size. Reduce the self-importance of, humble, as in He's so arrogant—I wish someone would cut him down to size, or She really got knocked down to size when her class ranking slipped. [Early 1900s]
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