cut a conversation short
Native recording
Analyzing pitch…
Pitch graph is unavailable
- 1 cut a conversation short、interrupt and end (someone's speech)
It means deliberately cutting someone or a conversation short so that the current discussion comes to an end.
cut a conversation short、interrupt and end (someone's speech)
To interrupt speech or break off a conversation in order to stop it from continuing.
-
เขารีบตัดบทแล้วเดินออกไป khǎw rîip tàtbòt lɛ́ɛw dəən ɔ̀ɔk pay He quickly cut the conversation short and walked out. เขารีบตัดบทแล้วเดินออกไป details
Learning notes
Explanation
ตัด means “to cut,” while บท can refer to a passage or a part of speech or text. Together, the word evokes cutting off the current thread of a conversation. It is used when someone intentionally stops an ongoing exchange—for example, to avoid a question, end an argument, or leave because time is short. Depending on the context, it can mean “cut the conversation short,” “cut someone off,” or “break off the discussion.” Common patterns include พูดตัดบท, using a remark to end the discussion; รีบตัดบท, quickly cutting it short; and ถูกตัดบท, being cut off.
Usage
It is commonly used when someone avoids a difficult question, ends a prolonged argument, or stops another person before they have finished speaking. It also appears in news reports and narratives describing how someone responds during an exchange.
Caution
The action can sound abrupt, dismissive, or one-sided. Do not confuse it with เปลี่ยนเรื่อง, which means changing the subject, or ขัดจังหวะ, an interruption after which the conversation may continue.
Differences from similar words
1 cut a conversation short synonyms
-
ขัดจังหวะ means to interrupt the flow of speech or an activity, which may resume afterward. ตัดบท specifically suggests cutting the speech or conversation short so it does not continue.