Phrasal verb
cut out on
Meanings
to stop working suddenly; to fail unexpectedly (of a machine, device, power, or service)
to stop happening or stop being available suddenly (of a signal, sound, or connection)
Definition
To suddenly stop working or stop happening, often without warning.
"Cut out on" means to suddenly fail or stop working, especially for machines, power, or a service. It often suggests the problem happens unexpectedly and may start again later. People commonly use it for electricity, phones, internet, engines, or sound.
Examples
- My phone keeps cutting out on me when I walk into the elevator.
- The sound cut out on us halfway through the movie.
- His old car cut out on him at the traffic light.
- Our internet cut out on us during the meeting.
- Her microphone cut out on her right as she started speaking.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "cut out on" (stop working) with "cut out" meaning "remove" (e.g., cut out a picture).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.