cut in - Definition & Meaning

cut in

Third Person

cuts in

Present Participle

cutting in

Past Tense

cut in

Past Participle

cut in

to interrupt someone's conversation

Despite the serious discussion, he couldn't resist the urge to cut in with a lighthearted comment.
She decided to cut in when she overheard a misunderstanding to provide clarification.
The teacher had to cut in to redirect the students' off-topic conversation back to the lesson.
During the meeting, the manager had to cut in to address a crucial point that was being overlooked.
It's impolite to cut in while others are speaking; it's important to wait for an appropriate moment to share your thoughts.

Synonyms:

to rudely move ahead of others who are waiting in a line

The teacher reprimanded the student who tried to cut in during the lunch line.
Rather than waiting for their turn, the group decided to cut in at the amusement park ride.
He attempted to cut in during the crowded bus boarding, ignoring the waiting passengers.
Despite the long line at the grocery store, she tried to cut in at the checkout.

to drive a vehicle into the space in front of another, providing minimal room for the latter to navigate comfortably

Frustrated by the slow-moving traffic, he decided to cut in, narrowly squeezing into the lane.
The aggressive driver abruptly cut in, causing the car behind to slam on its brakes to avoid a collision.
During rush hour, some motorists impatiently cut in, creating tension and potential hazards on the road.
The defensive driver maintained a safe following distance, avoiding the need to cut in abruptly.

to join a dance by politely replacing one person in the dancing pair

As the lively music played, he couldn't resist the urge to cut in and dance with her.
During the ball, it was considered polite to wait for a suitable moment to cut in and ask for a dance.
Despite being in the middle of a waltz, he decided to cut in and steal a dance with the elegant lady.
The dance floor was crowded, but he managed to cut in and invite her for a spin around the room.
At social events, it was customary for gentlemen to wait for an invitation to cut in rather than disrupting ongoing dances.

to blend or mix ingredients together with cutting or chopping motions, often in a cooking or food preparation context

To make salsa, you can cut in tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for a fresh and flavorful mix.
The chef demonstrated how to cut in butter when making a flaky pie crust.
For a crumbly texture, you need to cut in the cold butter evenly into the flour for the biscuit dough.
When preparing pastry dough, it's essential to cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
The recipe requires you to cut in the eggs gradually while making the pasta dough to achieve the right consistency.

to let someone have a portion of something or share in a benefit, profit, or activity

The generous business owner decided to cut in the hardworking employees on the company's success with a year-end bonus.
In recognition of their contributions, the team leader agreed to cut in the junior members on the project's rewards.
The artist chose to cut in the collaborating designer on the profits from the jointly created artwork.
The restaurant owner decided to cut in the loyal customers on a special discount as a token of appreciation.
When the venture succeeded, the entrepreneur was eager to cut in the investors on the lucrative returns.

to activate a specific part or function of a machine when it becomes necessary or required for operation

The cooling system automatically cuts in when the engine reaches a certain temperature.
The backup generator is designed to cut in immediately in case of a power outage.
The emergency lighting system is programmed to cut in when the main power source fails.
The electronic stability control will cut in to help stabilize the vehicle during slippery road conditions.