Phrasal verb
cut up
Meanings
To cut something into smaller pieces.
To make someone feel very upset or hurt emotionally.
Definition
“Cut up” most commonly means to cut something into smaller pieces.
“Cut up” is a phrasal verb meaning to cut something into smaller parts, usually with a knife or scissors. It is often used when preparing food or materials. It can also mean to make someone very upset, especially emotionally, but this use is less common in everyday instructions.
Examples
- I cut up the apples and added them to the salad.
- Can you cut up this paper into small squares for the craft?
- He cut up the old T-shirt to use as cleaning rags.
- She was really cut up after her close friend moved away.
- They were cut up when they heard the team wouldn’t continue next season.
Common mistake
Learners often forget that “cut up” is separable in the cutting sense (e.g., “cut the onions up” is correct, not only “cut up the onions”).
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.