cut back

present singular third person cuts back · participle present cutting back

1. intransitivetransitivewith onTo reduce the amount of (something).

   The foliage is out of control and needs to be cut back.

   3 more examples

   Some U.S. banks are cutting back their dealings with embassies and other foreign institutions in the United States because of the difficulty of complying with money-laundering rules, the Wall Street Journal reported.

   2010 November 19, Elinor Comlay, "Banks cut back on trading with embassies: report", Reuters (wire) http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AJ07J20101120

   The organization has slimmed down and cut back on its education programming, but the Jazz Market remains a critical gathering place in Central City, and the orchestra is more tightly bonded than before.

   2019 May 28, Giovanni Russonello, “After a Scandal, the New Orleans Jazz Market Rises Again”, in The New York Times

   The £3bn held by NR as a contingency fund to cover the impact of events brought about by extreme weather, which enables repairs following flooding and embankment failures, is also to be cut back.

   2023 May 3, 'Industry Insider', “Funds for railway's upkeep”, in RAIL, number 982, page 84

2. intransitivewith onTo reduce spending.

   We need to cut back heavily on office supplies. Is there another vendor we can use?

3. intransitiveoftenwith onTo reduce consumption.

   I've cut back to one pack of cigarettes a week.

   1 more example

   He needs to cut back on doughnuts. He weighs 289 pounds!

4. intransitivehobbiesTo perform the cutback maneuver.

   I cut back again myself and went over the top of the wave.

   2016, Michael Panckridge, Chasing the Break

5. intransitiveoftenTo use a short cut; to move to a location to block someone; to cut someone off

   He almost scored but the defender cut back to him.