cut off

1 to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end the majority party cut off debate and forced a vote on the bill Synonyms break, break off, break up, can [slang], cease, stop, cut out, desist (from), discontinue, drop, end, give over, halt, knock off, lay off, leave off, pack (up or in), quit, shut offRelated Words complete, conclude, finish; close (down); deactivate; block, blockade, dam, delay, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, kibosh, obstruct, stem; call, suspend; arrest, brake, check, clamp down, rein (in), squash, squelch, stamp, stanch (or staunch), stunt, suppress, turn back; pause, stay, suspend; abolish, abort, annul, demolish, destroy, dissolve, kill, ruin, scuttle, snuffNear Antonyms carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep up, run on; advance, proceed, progress; actuate, drive, impel, propel, stir

2 to set or keep apart from others the dog cut off the one sheep that had to be sheared Synonyms isolate, insulate, seclude, segregate, separate, sequesterRelated Words quarantine; confine, immure, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up), restrain, restrict; abstract, detach, disengage, remove; detain, hold, keepNear Antonyms assimilate, associate, connect, join, link, unite; discharge, free, liberate, loose, releaseAntonyms desegregate, integrate, reintegrate