cut back on meaning and examples thumbnail

cut back on meaning and examples

2025-09-12

Meaning

  • Cut back on means to reduce the amount of something, especially spending, usage, or consumption.
  • It is often used when talking about saving money, eating or drinking less, or reducing activities.

Grammar and Usage

  • Phrasal verb (transitive, inseparable).

  • Structure: cut back on + noun/gerund

    • Example: I need to cut back on sweets.

Common Phrases

  • cut back on expenses
  • cut back on smoking
  • cut back on staff
  • cut back on energy use

Collocations

  • cut back on + food/drink → sugar, coffee, alcohol
  • cut back on + spending/money → costs, expenses, budget
  • cut back on + resources → energy, water, staff

Examples

  1. We need to cut back on unnecessary expenses this month.
  2. The doctor told him to cut back on salt.
  3. She decided to cut back on social media use.
  4. The company had to cut back on staff due to financial problems.
  5. I’m trying to cut back on sugar to lose weight.
  6. They cut back on their holiday plans to save money.
  7. He cut back on driving to reduce his fuel costs.
  8. The school cut back on extracurricular activities.
  • reduce
  • decrease
  • lessen
  • trim down
  • scale back

Antonym

  • increase
  • expand
  • boost
  • add to