cut back

reduce the amount of something, especially money you spend or use

B2

What does "cut back on sth" mean?

To cut back on something means to use, consume, or spend less of it — but not to stop entirely. It's one of the most natural ways in English to talk about making gradual reductions, whether in diet, lifestyle habits, or finances. You might cut back on sugar to improve your health, or a company might cut back on costs during a difficult year. The key idea is that something is still happening, just at a lower level than before. This phrase is equally at home in a casual conversation about your eating habits and in a news article about government spending.

Examples

How to use it

cut back on + noun/noun phrase

The most common pattern — always keep the full unit 'cut back on' together, with the specific thing being reduced coming directly after 'on'.

She's been cutting back on caffeine since she started having trouble sleeping.

need to / want to / have to + cut back on + noun

Very frequently used with modal-style expressions that convey advice, necessity, or personal goals.

The team really needs to cut back on unnecessary expenses before the end of the quarter.

trying to + cut back on + noun

Commonly used to describe an ongoing personal effort to reduce something — suggests it is a process, not yet complete.

He's trying to cut back on red meat without giving it up completely.

should / could + cut back on + noun

Used when giving advice or suggesting a reduction, often in health, lifestyle, or financial contexts.

You could probably cut back on screen time in the evenings and still feel connected.

cut back on + noun + by + amount

Used when specifying how much of a reduction has been or should be made.

The department cut back on travel costs by around 30% last year.

Common Collocations

cut back on spendingcut back on sugarcut back on alcoholcut back on costscut back on caffeinecut back on screen time

Common Mistakes

Dropping the preposition 'on'

A very common error is saying 'cut back' and naming the object directly after it, without 'on'. The preposition is essential — without it, the sentence is ungrammatical.

✗ I'm trying to cut back sugar this month.
✓ I'm trying to cut back on sugar this month.
Confusing 'cut back on' with 'cut out'

'Cut back on' means to reduce something — you still do or consume it, just less. 'Cut out' means to stop completely. Using 'cut out' when you mean a partial reduction changes the meaning significantly.

✗ I've cut out sugar a little — I still have it sometimes.
✓ I've cut back on sugar — I still have it sometimes.
Trying to use 'cut back on' in the passive

Because the noun after 'cut back on' is the object of the preposition 'on', not a direct object of the verb, you cannot make it the subject of a passive sentence. Use an active construction instead.

✗ Spending was cut back on by the company.
✓ The company cut back on spending.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both everyday conversation and more formal writing about budgets or policy. You can drop 'on' and the object when the meaning is clear from context: 'We really need to cut back this year.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'cut back on' and 'cut down on'?

In most situations, they mean the same thing and are interchangeable — both refer to reducing (not eliminating) something. 'Cut down on' is perhaps slightly more common in health and habit contexts in informal speech, but 'cut back on' is just as natural there, and both are equally used in financial or business contexts. You can't really go wrong with either.

Can I use 'cut back on' without naming what I'm reducing?

If you want to speak generally about reducing something without naming it, drop the 'on' and simply use 'cut back': 'We've had to cut back this year.' However, 'cut back on' always needs a specific noun after it — you can't leave it hanging without an object.

What kinds of things can follow 'cut back on'?

The range is very wide. In everyday life, people cut back on food and drink items (sugar, alcohol, caffeine, red meat), habits (smoking, screen time, social media), and spending (costs, expenses, travel, the budget). It works for both personal lifestyle changes and institutional or corporate reductions.

Does 'cut back on' only work when talking about gradual or long-term reduction?

Not strictly, but it does imply an ongoing or deliberate process of reduction rather than a single one-off action. That's why it pairs so naturally with phrases like 'trying to', 'need to', and 'have been cutting back on' — these all suggest a sustained effort rather than a single moment.

Can 'cut back on' be used in formal or business writing?

Yes — it's a neutral phrase that works in both casual conversation and semi-formal writing. You'll find it in business articles, news reports about government budgets, and company announcements, as well as in everyday health and lifestyle discussions. It's not considered informal or slangy.

Related Phrasal Verbs

cut down on sth

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →