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The noun cutback is not a popular word among wage earners because it means a reduction in something, especially in the number of employees of a firm or an organisation.

A cutback is definite if we want to survive the downturn in the economy.

Cut back, a phrasal verb, means to reduce the amount of something such as expenditure. You may say you cut back something or you cut back on something.

We will gradually cut back on permanent employment and do more outsourcing.

 

Before we move on to more expressions with cut, let's take a look at today's headline: "Citygroup cutbacks: Citybank Thailand spared the axe".

Here we have the phrase spared the axe, which needs to be explained separately because it consists of the verb to spare and the noun the axe.

When we spare someone something, we prevent them from experiencing something unpleasant; as in the following examples:

Jack spared me the awkward situation of having to meet my ex at his birthday party.  

And the axe is when you lose your job.

She could not believe she got the axe because she had told the truth.

 

So the headline means Citygroup reduction (on employees): (The staff of) Citybank Thailand will not lose their jobs

 

Now we can continue with the expressions with cut; the next one is cut down.

If you dash out of a meeting room as soon as the meeting finishes or take a few minutes break every now and then during work to have a puff of a cigarette, maybe you should consider cutting down on smoking because it is bad for your health. When you cut down an activity you do it less often.

Don't you want to cut down on your drinking as my birthday present?

 

And the last expression for today is to cut in. This is when you interrupt somebody while they are speaking. 

The boss cut in abruptly; he did not agree with the core concept.

 

Complete the sentences using the expressions explained.

1. About two thousand employees at the shoe factory faced … last year.

2. Many businesses are considering … due to high interest rates and skyrocketing oil prices.

3. Frank's father has lost his job so the family needs to … on all extra items.

4. She was vicious; I will … you her criticism towards you.

5. How can I explain the whole plan to you if you keep … all the time?

6. The doctor suggested that I … on sugary food intake to reduce weight gain. 

Answers: 1. the axe, 2. cutbacks, 3. cut back, 4. spare, 5. cutting in, 6. cut down

By Parnsap Yomanage