Cutoff
'kʌtɒf
Definitions
3 meaningsA limit or point in time or amount beyond which something stops or is not allowed.
'kʌtɒf
A point or level beyond which something is stopped or no longer valid
The cutoff for signing up for the class is next week.
💡 Simply: It's like drawing a line on a paper. Everything on one side is 'in', and the other side is 'out'. Like, 'If you miss the cutoff time for the game, you can't play!'
👶 For kids: A time or a place where something stops.
More Examples
The cutoff score for the exam was 80%.
There was a major cutoff of services.
The company has imposed a strict cutoff on expenses this quarter.
How It's Used
"The cutoff date for applications is the end of this month."
"The cutoff man in baseball quickly throws the ball to the infield."
The act of severing, interrupting, or disconnecting something.
'kʌtɒf
The act of cutting something off or the result of it
The cutoff of power during the storm was unexpected.
💡 Simply: It’s when something is stopped or disconnected. Like, 'There was a cutoff of electricity during the storm, so we couldn’t watch TV!'
👶 For kids: When you stop something from happening.
More Examples
The cutoff of funds meant the project had to be halted.
The precise cutoff on this machine gives a perfect edge.
How It's Used
"The cutoff from the machine left a smooth edge."
"The sudden cutoff in the middle of the conversation was frustrating."
Referring to something that has been deliberately cut or shortened, such as clothing.
'kʌtɒf
Denoting something that has been cut off or disconnected.
He likes wearing cutoff shorts in the summer.
💡 Simply: Something that has been cut short, like 'cutoff jeans' where the legs have been cut off.
👶 For kids: Something that has been cut short.
More Examples
She had cutoff denim shorts.
They sold a variety of cutoff t-shirts.
How It's Used
"She wore cutoff jeans to the beach."
Idioms & expressions
cutoff man
In baseball, a fielder who relays a throw from an outfielder to an infielder.
"The cutoff man quickly relayed the ball to the second baseman."
From the verb 'cut off', tracing back to Old English 'cuttan' (to cut) and 'of' (away from). The noun form emerged as a result of this action.
The term has evolved from its original verb usage, increasingly appearing in contexts related to deadlines and limits.
Memory tip
Imagine a line drawn across a paper; anything past that line is the cutoff.