– phrases
be cut out for (or to be) [usu. with neg.] informal have exactly the right qualities for a particular role.
a cut above informal noticeably superior to.
cut and dried (of a situation) completely settled. [C18: orig. used to distinguish the herbs of herbalists' shops from growing herbs.]
cut and paste Computing move (text) by cutting it from one part of the text and inserting it in another.
cut and run informal speedily retreat from a difficult situation rather than deal with it. [orig. a naut. phr., meaning ‘cut the anchor cable because of an emergency and make sail immediately’.]
cut and thrust a difficult or competitive atmosphere or environment: the cut and thrust of political debate. [orig. a fencing phr.]
cut both ways (of a point) serve both sides of an argument.

■ (of an action or process) have both good and bad effects.

cut corners do something perfunctorily so as to save time or money.
cut a dash Brit. be stylish or impressive in one's dress or behaviour.
cut someone dead completely ignore someone.
cut from the same cloth of the same nature.
cut in line N. Amer. jump the queue.
cut it out informal stop it.
cut the mustard informal reach the required standard.
cut no ice informal have no influence or effect.
cut a (or the) rug N. Amer. informal dance, especially in an energetic or accomplished way.
cut one's teeth acquire initial experience of a sphere of activity.
cut a tooth (of a baby) have a tooth appear through the gum.
cut to the chase N. Amer. informal come to the point.
cut up rough Brit. informal behave in an aggressive or awkward way.
make (or miss) the cut Golf reach (or fail to reach) a required score, thus avoiding (or ensuring) elimination from the last two rounds of a four-round tournament.

– phrasal verbs
cut in

• 1 interrupt.

• 2 pull in too closely in front of another vehicle.

• 3 (of a motor or other device) begin operating, especially when triggered automatically.

cut someone in informal include someone in a deal and give them a share of the profits.
cut someone off

• 1 break the connection during a telephone call.

• 2 deprive someone of a supply of power, water, etc.

• 3 disinherit someone.

cut something off block the usual means of access to a place.
cut out

• 1 (of an engine) suddenly stop operating.

• 2 N. Amer. informal leave quickly.

cut someone out exclude someone.
cut up N. Amer. informal behave in a mischievous or unruly manner.
cut someone up

• 1 informal (of a driver) overtake someone and pull in too closely.

• 2 N. Amer. informal criticize someone severely.