Vocabulary
Clear, close, cut
Study the following vocabulary.
The students at the university were very upset about the government‘s decision to go to war. They believed that the country shouldcut back on military spending as there were other institutions that needed funding. However, the government wanted to cut downthe number of terrorist attacks around the world and so they sent troops overseas to combat this problem. One rainy afternoon, the students gathered in the street to protest. Their demonstration closed down the entire block. The nearby shops all closed upbecause their customers were cut off from their entrances. Eventually, the police were able to clear out the demonstrators, but the students did not go home. Instead, they cut across a nearby field and moved their protest to the lawn in front of the government offices. Finally, the government officials agreed to listen to their demands and try to clear up any misunderstandings.
cut across – to take a short route across a place instead of going through it
We’ll get there quicker if we cut across the fields.
clear out – to leave a place quickly; to make clean by removing what you do not want
I cleared out all of the cabinets.
clear up – to solve a problem, to find an explanation for
The mystery of the haunted house has never been cleared up.
close down – the stopping of work or operation as a business
Many businesses have closed down because of the recession.
close in on – to come nearer to and surround
The enemy is closing in on us!
close out – to bring to an end
I’d like to close out my savings account at this bank.
close up – to close completely, to shut and lock a building completely for a period of time
His eye was so swollen that it closed up .
He closes the shop up at 5:30.
cut back – to reduce, especially to save money
We’ve had to cut back on staff to save money.
cut down on – to reduce the amount of something
Recycling cuts down on waste.
cut off – to separate physically or socially from people or things
Why has he cut off all contact with his family?