C

[cut short]  {v.}

To stop or interrupt suddenly; end suddenly or too soon.

Rain cut short the ball game.

An auto accident cut short the man's life.

* /When Dick began to tell about his summer vacation the teacher cut him short, saying "Tell us  […]

[cut teeth]  {v. phr.}

1. To have teeth grow out through the gums.

The baby was cross because he was cutting teeth.

2. or [cut eye teeth]  {informal}

To learn something very early in life; gain experience; start by learning or doing. — Used with a  […]

[cut the ground from under]  {v. phr.}  {informal}

To make (someone) fail; upset the plans of; spoil the argument for (a person) in advance.

* /Paul wanted to he captain but we cut the ground from under him by saying that Henry was the best player on the  […]

[cut the mustard]  {v. phr.},  {slang}

To do well enough in what needs to be done; to succeed.

[cut to pieces]  {v. phr.}

1. To divide into small parts with something sharp; cut badly or completely.

Baby has cut the newspaper to pieces with scissors.

2. To destroy or defeat completely.

The soldiers were cut to pieces by the Indians.

*  […]

[cut to the bone]  {v. phr.}

To make (something) the least or smallest possible amount; reduce severely; leave out everything extra or unnecessary from.

Father cut Jane's allowance to the bone for disobeying him.

* /When father lost his job, our  […]

[cut to the quick]  {v. phr.}

To hurt someone's feelings deeply.

[cut two ways]

See: [CUT BOTH WAYS].

[cut up]  {v.}

1.  {informal}

To hurt the feelings of; wound. — Usually used in the passive.

John was badly cut up when Susie gave him back his ring.

2.  {slang}

To act funny or rough; clown.

* /Joe would always cut up if there were any girls  […]

[cut-and-dried]  {adj. phr.}

Decided or expected beforehand; following the same old line; doing the usual thing.

The decision of the judge was cut-and-dried.

The ways of the king's court were cut-and-dried.

* /People at the convention heard  […]