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cut down on

to reduce

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (phrasal verb) to reduce the amount or quantity of something; to use or consume less of something

Examples

• 1. I'm trying to cut down on sugar to improve my health.

How to use cut down on

Cut down on is a common, straightforward phrasal verb used when you want to consume or use less of something, typically for health, financial, or environmental reasons. It is less formal than reduce or decrease and is frequently used in everyday speech. The phrase emphasizes gradual or deliberate reduction rather than a drastic elimination.

Common phrases

• cut down on smoking
• cut down on sugar
• cut down on expenses
• cut down on calories
• cut down on alcohol
• cut down on waste

Synonyms

reduce · decrease · limit · scale back · trim

Opposites

increase · expand · boost

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'cut down on' with 'cut down' (which means to fell a tree or kill someone), leading to misunderstandings in context.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

come across, come up with, count on, deal with, draw up, drop off

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained