cutting down
Reducing in size
Cutting down captures the act of felling something, typically a tree, by severing it at the base.
The phrase extends to reduction more broadly: We're cutting down on sugar means consuming less of it.
It can also mean diminishing someone through criticism or mockery, taking them down a notch: She cut him down with a single remark.
The core image is always of reducing height, size, or stature.
Motor-driven cutting tool
- axeBladed tool for chopping
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
- timberWood for construction
- sawmillLog-to-board factory
stump · log · woodcutter · sawdust · faller · skidder · notch · wedge
Reducing workforce or scale
- curtailmentAct of reducing scope
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
paring · slimming · economizing · retrenchment · scaling back · trimming · lessening · mitigation
Heavy-duty cutting blades
- loppersLong-handled branch cutters
- secateursGarden cutting tool
- trimmingCutting away excess
- thinningReducing density or number
shaping · deadheading · clipping · hedge · bonsai · orchard · vineyard · rosebush
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- clearcuttingHarvesting every standing tree
- loggingRecording system events
- slash-and-burnPrimitive clearing method
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
biodiversity · ecosystem · conservation · timber · endangered · extinction · illegal · exploitation
Allocating funds systematically
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
lean · overhead · outsourcing · rightsizing · automation · productivity · redundancy · consolidation
Scornfully imitating or ridiculing
- insultingShowing contempt through words
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- ridiculingMocking with contempt
humiliating · undermining · criticizing · diminishing · disrespecting · snide · sarcasm · condescension
chainsaw
Motor-driven cutting tool
- axeBladed tool for chopping
- lumberjackProfessional tree cutter
- timberWood for construction
sawmill · stump · log · woodcutter · sawdust · faller · skidder · notch · wedge · trunk
downsizing
Reducing workforce or scale
- curtailmentAct of reducing scope
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
shrinking · paring · slimming · economizing · retrenchment · scaling back · trimming · lessening · mitigation · streamlining
shears
Heavy-duty cutting blades
thinning · shaping · deadheading · clipping · hedge · bonsai · orchard · vineyard · rosebush · topiary
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- clearcuttingHarvesting every standing tree
- loggingRecording system events
- slash-and-burnPrimitive clearing method
habitat · biodiversity · ecosystem · conservation · timber · endangered · extinction · illegal · exploitation · degradation
budgeting
Allocating funds systematically
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
optimization · lean · overhead · outsourcing · rightsizing · automation · productivity · redundancy · consolidation · austerity
mocking
Scornfully imitating or ridiculing
- insultingShowing contempt through words
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
ridiculing · humiliating · undermining · criticizing · diminishing · disrespecting · snide · sarcasm · condescension · scorn
- reducingshrinking, lessening, diminishing, decreasing, scaling back
cutting downbuilding up
Increasing gradually
increasing · ramping up · expanding · growing · boosting
cutting downbuilding up
Increasing gradually
erecting · constructing · planting · raising · putting up
cutting downbuilding up
Increasing gradually
praising · boosting · elevating · bigging up · talking up
down, cutting, cuts, cut down, downs, cutter, downer, undercut, cuttings