Say it like this
- It's time to cut the cord with that legacy database.
- We finally cut the cord with our old hosting provider last quarter.
- I think we should cut the cord and just build it ourselves.
- They're ready to cut the cord with the monolith.
Use it at work
Moving away from old tools
- We're finally cutting the cord with the old CRM.
- Let's cut the cord on the legacy API by June.
Planning
- Before we cut the cord, let's move all the data.
- We can't cut the cord until the last customer migrates.
With vendors
- Their prices went up, so we cut the cord.
- Is it time to cut the cord with this vendor?
Don't say this
The idiom requires 'with' to show what you're disconnecting from.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. A team is discussing replacing an old database system.
2. We decided to cut the cord our legacy authentication service last quarter.
3. It's time to cut the cord ____ our outdated CI/CD pipeline.
4. We need to stop depending on the old vendor and switch to a new one.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 4
"It's time to cut the cord with that legacy database."
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More about cut the cord
Real examples(7)
- Standup
"I'm working on the migration plan so we can cut the cord with the old auth system by next sprint."
- Slack message
"Are we really ready to cut the cord with AWS? We've been with them for five years."
- GitHub PR
"This PR removes all dependencies on the deprecated API—time to cut the cord."
- Jira ticket
"Task: Cut the cord with legacy payment gateway and integrate Stripe."
- Retrospective
"We should have cut the cord with that vendor sooner—it was slowing us down."
- Sprint planning
"This sprint, let's prioritize cutting the cord with the old CMS."
- Pair programming
"If we cut the cord with this library, we'll need to rewrite the validation logic."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Avoid using "cut the cord" when talking about ending relationships with people—it can sound harsh. Use "part ways with" instead.
- ✕Let's cut the cord our vendor relationship.✓Let's cut the cord with our vendor relationship.
Always use 'cut the cord with' + the thing you're leaving behind.
- ✕I will cut the cord to finish this task.✓I will finish this task quickly.
'Cut the cord' is about ending dependence, not about speed or completing work.
Other forms(4)
- cut the cord base form
"We need to cut the cord with this vendor."
- cut the cord past tense
"We cut the cord with the legacy system last month."
- cutting the cord present participle
"We're cutting the cord with our old hosting provider."
- cord-cutting noun phrase
"The cord-cutting process took three sprints."
Often used with(5)
- cut the cord with · Standard preposition—always use 'with' before the thing you're leaving
- ready to cut the cord · Common way to say the team is prepared to make the change
- finally cut the cord · Implies the change was overdue
- time to cut the cord · Suggests the moment has arrived to make the break
- cut the cord and migrate · Often paired with migration to a new system
Similar words(5)
- break away from · Similar meaning, slightly more formal
- move away from · Softer, more gradual—doesn't imply a clean break
- sunset · Tech term for retiring a system—more about the old thing ending than the break itself
- phase out · Implies a gradual process rather than a clean cut
- ditch · More casual and direct—can sound dismissive
Opposites(5)
- depend on
- stick with
- continue using
- maintain ties with
- stay connected to
Questions(6)
- What does 'cut the cord' mean in a tech context?
- 'Cut the cord' means to stop depending on something, usually an old system, tool, or vendor. In tech, teams use this phrase when they decide to completely stop using legacy technology and move to something new.
- Is 'cut the cord' appropriate for formal business communication?
- 'Cut the cord' is an idiom, so it works well in meetings and Slack but may be too casual for formal executive reports or client contracts. In those cases, use 'discontinue' or 'phase out' instead.
- What preposition follows 'cut the cord'?
- Always use 'with' after 'cut the cord.' For example: 'We need to cut the cord with our legacy database.' Using 'to' or 'from' is incorrect.
- Can 'cut the cord' be used for people or only technology?
- In tech workplaces, 'cut the cord' is mainly used for systems, vendors, or tools. Using it about people (like contractors or partners) can sound harsh. For people, 'part ways with' is more appropriate.
- What's the difference between 'cut the cord' and 'phase out'?
- 'Cut the cord' implies a clean, decisive break—stopping something completely. 'Phase out' suggests a gradual process over time. Use 'cut the cord' when the change is immediate and final.
- Where does 'cut the cord' come from?
- Originally, 'cut the cord' referred to cutting an umbilical cord—becoming independent. Later, it became popular when people stopped cable TV subscriptions ('cord-cutting'). In tech, it means ending dependence on legacy systems.
