Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Doctor wants Tony to cut back down junk foods.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4, i.e. “to cut back on”.
In English, when we talk about reducing consumption or usage of something, especially like junk foods, the idiomatic expressions are:
cut back on
cut down on
These phrasal verbs are commonly used with food or habits. According to usage guides:
“Cut back on” means to reduce the amount of something you consume.
“Cut down on” can imply reducing frequency or usage.
In the given sentence:
Doctor wants Tony to cut back down junk foods.
the correct and idiomatic structure would be:
“cut back on junk foods”
meaning reduce the amount Tony eats, rather than eliminating completely.
Option 1 (“to cut back out”) is incorrect—there’s no standard expression 'cut back out' in this context.
Option 2 (“to cut back over”) and Option 3 (“to cut back off”) are ungrammatical and not used in English.