cut down

Meaning

To reduce the size, amount, or quantity of something. It is most commonly used when talking about consuming less of something (like coffee, sugar, or social media) or spending less money. It can also literally mean to fell a tree.

Examples

• I'm trying to cut down on coffee because it's keeping me awake at night.

  I'm trying to cut down on coffee because it's keeping me awake at night.

• If we want to save for a house, we need to cut down on eating out.

  If we want to save for a house, we need to cut down on eating out.

• The doctor told him to cut down his sugar intake immediately.

  The doctor told him to cut down his sugar intake immediately.

• The city council decided to cut down the old oak trees on Main Street.

  The city council decided to cut down the old oak trees on Main Street.

• You don't have to quit social media completely; just cut down a bit.

  You don't have to quit social media completely; just cut down a bit.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to cut down of sugar.

  ✓ I need to cut down on sugar.

  The correct preposition after 'cut down' when talking about reducing consumption is 'on', not 'of'.

• ✗ We should cut down our expenses down.

  ✓ We should cut down our expenses.

  Avoid repeating the word 'down' twice in the same clause when using this phrasal verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I really need to ___ on my screen time before bed.

  💡 Reduce the amount of.

  Show answer

  cut down

• They had to ___ the dead tree in the backyard for safety reasons.

  💡 Chop down or fell.

  Show answer

  cut down