Get a grip

[0579] Cut it out

🎲 Pipe down
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An imperative phrase used to tell someone to stop doing something immediately.
  • Usually implies the action is annoying, disruptive, inappropriate, or harmful.

Origin

Cut it out: Originated in American English in the early 20th century. Theories include:

  • Film editing: Removing (cutting out) unwanted footage.
  • Tailoring: Cutting out unnecessary fabric.
  • General sense: Shortening or stopping an action.

Knock it off: Originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. Possible origins:

  • Stopping work: Workers knock off at the end of the day.
  • Auctions: An auctioneer bangs a gavel (knocks) to finalize a sale and stop bidding.
  • Physical action: Literally knocking something over to stop it.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Stop it. (Most direct and common)
  • Quit it.
  • Give it a rest. (Implies the annoying action has been going on for a while)
  • Pack it in. (UK/Aus informal)
  • Leave it out. (UK informal, often means stop talking nonsense or exaggerating)
  • That's enough.
  • Cheese it! (Very dated slang, often used by kids in old movies to mean 'stop' or 'run away')

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Stow it. (Older slang, means stop talking or stop doing something)
  • Can it. (Often means 'shut up' but can mean stop an action)
  • Chill. (Milder, if the behavior is just irritating)
  • 86 it. (Slang, originally from restaurants meaning remove an item; can mean get rid of or stop something)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Cut the shit. / Cut the crap. (Telling someone to stop lying, exaggerating, or being foolish)
  • Stop fucking around. (Telling someone to stop wasting time or behaving badly/stupidly)

Milder/Standard:

  • Could you please stop doing that?
  • I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't do that.
  • That behavior is disruptive/inappropriate.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Appropriate for parents addressing children, between siblings or close friends, or in very casual environments when dealing with annoying behavior.
  • Can sound rude, childish, or overly confrontational in professional settings or towards strangers/superiors.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The directness and implied annoyance are key. Learners should understand these are not polite requests but firm, informal commands often used when patience is wearing thin.

Examples

  • *Two kids are poking each other* Parent: Hey! Cut it out, both of you!
  • Could you please cut it out with that whistling? I'm trying to work.
  • Knock it off! Stop making those noises.
  • If you don't knock it off, you'll have to leave.

Dialogue

Context

*Sibling 1 is humming loudly and tapping their foot while Sibling 2 is studying.*

Sibling 2: Can you please knock it off?

Sibling 1: Knock what off? I'm just relaxing.

Sibling 2: The humming and tapping! It's really annoying. Cut it out!

Sibling 1: Fine, fine. Whatever. *Stops*

Social Media Examples

  • Comment thread (argument): User C: Okay you two, knock it off. This isn't productive.
  • Tweet: To the construction crew starting work at 7 AM on Saturday: CUT IT OUT 😩 #needsleep #noise
  • Forum Mod Post: Some users are derailing the thread with off-topic posts. Knock it off, or warnings will be issued.

Response Patterns

  • Compliance: The person stops the behavior, possibly looking sullen or apologetic.
  • Defiance/Argument: I wasn't doing anything! / Make me! / Why?
  • Ignoring: The person continues the behavior, potentially leading to escalation.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After saying Cut it out / Knock it off:

  • The speaker might issue a warning or threat (One more time, and you're in trouble).
  • Repeat the command more forcefully.
  • Take disciplinary action (e.g., separating fighting children).

The person told to stop might:

  • Stop the action.
  • Ask What? pretending innocence.
  • Complain about being told what to do.

Conversation Starter

  • No. A command to stop an ongoing action.

Intonation

  • Said firmly, often with annoyance, impatience, or anger.
  • Stress falls strongly on Cut or Knock.
  • CUT it out! / KNOCK it off!

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across all generations. They are standard informal commands.

Regional Variations

  • Both are common in American English. Knock it off might feel slightly more dated to some than Cut it out.
  • Both are understood in other English-speaking regions, though local alternatives like Pack it in (UK/Aus) exist.
Get a grip
🎲 Pipe down