Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cut someone some slack

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.69 in modern English

Syllables
cut -some-one -some s-lack
IPA
31
Scrabble Score
19
Letters
5
Syllables
11
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make allowances for someone, and not treat a failure severely.

Example Sentences

Inflected Forms

cuts someone some slack (present, singular) cutting someone some slack (participle, present)

Phrases

short leash

Frequently Paired Words

short leash

Synonyms

give someone a break give someone enough rope

Questions

What does cut someone some slack mean?
To make allowances for someone, and not treat a failure severely.

How to pronounce cut someone some slack

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cut someone some slack”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cut someone some slack”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “cut someone some slack” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.