verbal phr. (colloquial).—1. To run down; to mortify.
1759. GOLDSMITH, The Bee, No. 5, p. 390 (Globe ed.). The pack of critics, who probably have no other occupation but that of CUTTING UP everything new.
1819. SHELLEY, Letter to Ollier, in Letters (Camelot), p. 300. I read the article … I am glad, however, to see the Quarterly CUT UP, and that by one of their own people.
1874. M. and F. COLLINS, Frances, ch. xvii. The slashing writers who delight to CUT UP a book, especially if the author is a friend or a rival.
2. (common).—To come up; turn up; become; show up.
3. (thieves’).—To divide plunder; to share; to ‘nap the regulars.’ Cf., CUT UP FAT.
1779. R. CUMBERLAND, The Wheel of Fortune, Act iv., Sc. 3. Sir D. D. A gentleman, who trusts to servants in his absence, is sure to be CUT UP. Emily, CUT UP! what’s that. Sir D. D. Why, ’tis a common phrase.
1870. J. K., Good Words, xi. April, 247/1, ‘The Nailers’ Lamentation.’
| Now, what’s twelve shillings to CUT UP, | |
| To pay so many things? |
1879. J. W. HORSLEY, ‘Autobiography of a Thief,’ in Macmillan’s Magazine, XL., 505. We had between sixty and seventy quid to CUT UP (share).
1880. G. R. SIMS, How the Poor Live, x. These … were mostly ‘ramps,’ or swindles, got up to obtain the gate-money, and generally interrupted by circumstances arranged beforehand by those who were going to CUT UP the plunder.
4. (common).—To behave.
1856. T. HUGHES, Tom Brown’s School-days, pt. I., ch. v. You see, a great deal depends on how a fellow CUTS UP, at first. If he’s got nothing odd about him, and answers straightforward, and holds his head up, he gets on.
1883. Illustrated London News, 12 May, p. 463, col. 2. Export again CUT UP wretchedly in the Burwell Stakes, which fell to Blue Glass, and one of the best of the American three-year-olds.
CUT UP FAT, verbal phr. (common).—To leave a large fortune. Cf., CUT UP, sense 3.
1824. HOOK, Sayings and Doings, 1 S., Danvers, p. 13 (‘Colburn’s The Standard Novels’). His property was immense … and few people ventured to guess … what he would CUT UP for.
1831. B. DISRAELI, The Young Duke, bk. IV., ch. vii., p. 228 (ed. 1866). ‘You think him rich?’ ‘Oh, he will CUT UP VERY LARGE,’ said the Baron.
1848. THACKERAY, The Book of Snobs, ch. vii. The old banker died in course of time, and to use the affectionate phrase common on such occasions, CUT UP prodigiously well.
1860. O. W. HOLMES, The Professor at the Breakfast-Table, xi. 350. In the midst of these kind expressions, the gentleman with the diamond, the Koh-i-noor, as we called him, asked, in a very unpleasant sort of way, how the old boy was likely to CUT UP,—meaning what money our friend was going to leave behind.
1872. Civilian, 2 March. Time wears on, and old Stubbs pays the debt of nature, and CUTS UP SPLENDIDLY. His colossal fortune is the making of his needy sons-in-law.
CUT UP [ROUGH, RUSTY, SAVAGE, STIFF, UGLY, etc.], verbal phr.—To become quarrelsome or dangerous.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, ch. xliii., p. 377. ‘I’ll trouble you for the loan of five-and-twenty pound.’ ‘Wot good ’ull that do?’ inquired Mr. Weller. ‘Never mind,’ replied Sam. ‘P’raps you may ask for it five minus arterwards; p’raps I may say I von’t pay, and CUT UP ROUGH.’
1849. THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. l. I didn’t mean any offence—beg pardon—hang it! you CUT UP QUITE SAVAGE. Ibid. (1855–7), Miscellanies, II., 272. It is true that Natty [Edward’s Julia’s younger brother] called many times in Pocklinglon Square and complained to Edward that he, Nat, could neither see his Mar nor the Gurls, and that the old gent CUT UP UNCOMMON STIFF.
1864. A. TROLLOPE, The Small House at Arlington, ch. iv. She’s always talking of Lupex being jealous! if he was TO CUT UP ROUGH, you wouldn’t find it pleasant.
CUT UP WELL, verb, phr. (venery).—To strip well; to be an engaging bed-fellow.
TO BE CUT UP (common).—To be vexed; hurt; dejected; sometimes simply CUT. Formerly, to be in embarrassed circumstances.
1821. P. EGAN, Tom and Jerry [ed. 1890], p. 60. But, owing to a combination of unfortunate circumstances, such as gambling dissipation, etc., Jem is so CUT UP, that all his old pals have turned their backs upon him.
1846. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, vol. I., ch. xxv. ‘I should have liked to see the old girl before we went,’ Rawdon said. ‘She looks so CUT UP and altered that I’m sure she can’t last long.’ Ibid. (1855), The Newcomes, II., p. 201. It’s not when a fellow’s down and CUP UP, and riled,—naturally riled—as you are,—I know you are, Marquis; it’s not then that I’m going to be angry with you …
1864. Glasgow Herald, 28 Dec. Not a word was said. I felt confoundly CUT, and every mouthful of that dinner felt as if it would choke me.
