cut something away—detach smth. by cutting:
- If you cut away some of the dead wood, you will have a healthier tree.
cut something off—
1. remove smth. by cutting:
- The man cut off a succulent piece of meat and handed it to me.
2. disconnect smth. such as gas, electricity, etc.:
- Our water supply has been cut off again this week.
3. isolate or separate smth.:
- Last night’s severe snowstorm cut off three villages.
cut something out—
1. extract or obtain smth. by cutting:
- He cut out this photograph from the newspaper.
2. refrain from smth.; give up smth.:
- He has decided to cut out smoking and drinking.
3. delete words, paragraphs, etc.:
- Before we can print this book, you will have to cut out all the four-letter words.
4. replace a competitor in business, etc.:
- The big new store is going to cut all the small shops out.