What does "cut back" mean?

To reduce the amount or size of something Often used for reducing spending, consumption, or activities.

How do you use "cut back" in a sentence?

We need to cut back on expenses. He's cutting back on sugar. The company cut back on staff.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: To reduce the amount or size of something

削减，减少

Reducir, recortar

削減する、減らす

줄이다, 삭감하다

Often used for reducing spending, consumption, or activities.

常用于减少开支、消费或活动。

Se usa frecuentemente para reducir gastos, consumo o actividades.

支出、消費、活動を減らすときによく使われます。

지출, 소비 또는 활동을 줄일 때 자주 사용된다.

Base verb: cut

Particle: back

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

We need to cut back on expenses.
我们需要削减开支
Necesitamos reducir gastos
経費を削減する必要がある
경비를 줄여야 한다.
He's cutting back on sugar.
他在减少糖的摄入
Está reduciendo el azúcar
彼は砂糖を控えている
그는 설탕 섭취를 줄이고 있다.
The company cut back on staff.
公司裁减了员工
La empresa recortó personal
会社は人員を削減した
회사는 인원을 감축했다.

Context: spending, consumption, reduction

Tone: practical

From cutting away parts of something to make it smaller.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal