shut off vs cut off

Both 'shut off' and 'cut off' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Shut off' is commonly used when referring to turning off a device or a power source, while 'cut off' is used when something is physically separated or disconnected. They are not interchangeable and have distinct meanings.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 922 views

The phrase 'shut off' is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to turning off a device or a power source.

"shut off"

Use 'shut off' when you want to indicate the action of turning off a device, appliance, or power source. It is often used in contexts like 'Please shut off the lights before leaving.'

Examples:

Don't forget to shut off the TV before you go to bed.
The automatic timer will shut off the sprinklers at 6 p.m.
I need to shut off my phone during the meeting.
Can you shut off the engine while we wait?
Remember to shut off the water before you leave the house.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well first we got to shut off whatever's making that noise.
You might want to shut off those automatic sprinklers, folks.
I'll shut off the water.
Maybe we should just shut off the main line for now.
Don't try to shut off the pow...
Or we could find the breaker box and shut off the power.
It's not designed to be shut off.
Without it, the mind is shut off.
I need these cameras shut off and a moment with my client.
The engines have shut off on their own.
His emotions have been shut off.
Gas and electricity meters will be shut off.
He just kept pushing my buttons Until my brain shut off.
Now I need you to shut off your car...
Jennifer and Rory must've shut off the underground cooling vents.
Seems that someone forgot to shut off the video conferencing to Pindar last night.
All the energy rods have been shut off.
Xeno, shut off all the lights.
Meanwhile, Billy's cell has been shut off for 18 hours.
If a consultant desires he can use the Gold Key to shut off one or more bed units.

Alternatives:

turn off
power down
switch off
close down
shut down

The phrase 'cut off' is correct and commonly used in English, especially when something is physically separated or disconnected.

"cut off"

Use 'cut off' when you want to indicate the action of physically severing or disconnecting something. It is often used in contexts like 'The storm cut off power to the entire neighborhood.'

Examples:

The fallen tree cut off access to the road.
The phone company cut off our service due to non-payment.
The floodwaters cut off the town from the rest of the region.
She was cut off in the middle of her sentence.
The scissors accidentally cut off the corner of the paper.

Show examples from the web [+]

Here comes the surgeon to cut off your hand...
To cut off the rebels' supplies.
We set traps back here... cut off the incoming pass.
Although they were smart enough to cut off all contact since the surgery.
Step forward so I can cut off one of your arms.
Dillinger's cut off everybody with Group-7 access.
Juma's cut off our communication.
All popcorn supply lines have been cut off.
And watching people having their heads cut off.
Switches shall simultaneously cut off all live conductors.
Father remarried and cut off all contact.
Our little red-headed friend is cut off.
Whoever cut off Corporal Porter's hand...
Robert cut off my credit card.
He was so drunk he nearly cut off the wrong leg.
His arms and legs were cut off.
The engines are cut off from the bridge.
Maybe I'll cut off your nose first.
There's no water and they cut off electricity.
So you did cut off his...

Alternatives:

sever
disconnect
isolate
block off
interrupt

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shut off vs cut off

"shut off"

"cut off"

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