cut down on

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to reduce the size, amount, or consumption of something. It is very frequently used when talking about habits, diet, expenses, or resources. The tone is neutral and highly practical for everyday life.

Examples

• The doctor told me to cut down on sugar to improve my health.

  The doctor told me to cut down on sugar to improve my health.

• We are trying to cut down on our monthly spending to save for a trip.

  We are trying to cut down on our monthly spending to save for a trip.

• I need to cut down on screen time before going to bed.

  I need to cut down on screen time before going to bed.

• To protect the environment, we should all cut down on plastic use.

  To protect the environment, we should all cut down on plastic use.

• She decided to cut down on caffeine, so she switched to herbal tea.

  She decided to cut down on caffeine, so she switched to herbal tea.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to cut down my coffee intake.

  ✓ I need to cut down on my coffee intake.

  While 'cut down' can be used alone sometimes, you must include the preposition 'on' when specifying the object you are reducing.

• ✗ He is cutting down of fast food.

  ✓ He is cutting down on fast food.

  The correct preposition combination for this phrasal verb is 'down on', not 'down of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to lose weight, you should ___ junk food.

  💡 Reduce the consumption of.

  Show answer

  cut down on

• The company is trying to ___ paper waste by going digital.

  💡 Reduce the amount of.

  Show answer

  cut down on