cut into

reduce the amount of something available (like time or profits)

B2

What does "cut into sth" mean?

To 'cut into' something means that one thing reduces or takes away from a resource — usually money or time — that you were expecting to have. The subject is typically a cost, expense, or obligation that has a negative impact: something eats away at what was available. For example, a large tax bill or an unexpected expense can cut into your savings, leaving you with less than planned. What makes this phrasal verb distinctive is that the reduction is usually unwanted — it describes an undesirable side effect rather than a deliberate choice. It works equally well in business contexts (rising costs cutting into profit margins) and everyday conversation (a long commute cutting into family time).

Examples

How to use it

subject + cut into + resource

The most common pattern: a cost, demand, or obligation reduces an abstract resource such as time, money, or profits.

The rising cost of materials is cutting into the company's margins.

cut into + savings / budget / profits

The object after 'into' is almost always an abstract resource noun — never a physical object in this sense.

Unexpected legal fees cut into the project budget significantly.

modal verb + cut into + resource

Used with modal verbs to talk about potential or future reductions.

Higher energy prices could cut into household savings over the coming months.

be cutting into + resource

The present continuous is natural when describing an ongoing situation that is currently reducing something.

All these extra admin tasks are cutting into the time I need for actual work.

Common Collocations

profitssavingsfree timebudgetmarginsresources

Common Mistakes

Confusing the three senses of 'cut into'

This phrasal verb has different meanings depending on context. In this sense, the object after 'into' is always an abstract resource like time or money. If the object is a physical thing (a cake, a piece of wood), it has a completely different, literal meaning — and if the object is a conversation or broadcast, it means to interrupt.

✗ The surgeon cut into our profits. / Rising costs cut into the meeting.
✓ Rising costs cut into our profits. / The surgeon cut into the patient's skin.
Trying to separate the verb and particle

'Cut into' is inseparable, so the object must always come after 'into' — you cannot place it between 'cut' and 'into', even with pronouns.

✗ The taxes cut our savings into.
✓ The taxes cut into our savings.
Confusing 'cut into' with 'cut back on'

'Cut back on' describes a deliberate decision to spend or do less, while 'cut into' describes something that unwantedly reduces a resource as a side effect. The subject and meaning are quite different.

✗ We decided to cut into our spending on travel.
✓ We decided to cut back on our spending on travel. / The travel costs cut into our overall budget.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both business writing and everyday conversation. It is especially common when describing costs, taxes, or demands that have a negative impact on money or time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'cut into' be used in the passive, like 'Our profits were cut into'?

No — a passive construction isn't possible with this sense of 'cut into'. The object comes after the preposition 'into', which means it can't be moved to the subject position the way a direct object can. You always need an active subject, such as 'Rising costs cut into our profits.'

What's the difference between 'cut into' and 'eat into'?

'Eat into' and 'cut into' are very similar and often interchangeable in this sense. 'Eat into' tends to suggest a slower, more gradual erosion — like something slowly being consumed over time. 'Cut into' can imply a sharper, more immediate reduction, though in practice many native speakers use them without making that distinction.

Does 'cut into' only work with money, or can it be used with time too?

It works with both. While financial contexts are very common ('cut into profits', 'cut into savings'), 'cut into' is used just as naturally with time — for example, 'The extra meetings are cutting into my lunch break' or 'Overtime is cutting into my weekends'. Any abstract resource that can be reduced works as the object.

Can I use 'cut into' to describe something I'm doing deliberately, like reducing my own spending?

Not naturally in this sense. 'Cut into' usually describes something that reduces a resource as an unwanted consequence — the subject is typically a cost, expense, or obligation acting on you. For deliberate reductions, 'cut back on' or 'reduce' would be more appropriate.

Is 'cut into' more common in formal business writing or in everyday conversation?

It's used in both without sounding out of place. You'll find it in business reports and financial journalism ('rising interest rates are cutting into corporate margins'), but it's equally natural in casual speech ('these house repairs have really cut into our holiday fund'). There's no strong restriction in either direction.

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