cutting up
Clowning around, joking, or acting up when you ought to settle down.
Also called cuttin' up, acting up.
Updated September 21, 2026
cutting up pronunciation
/KUT-in UP/
Meaning
When kids are cutting up, they are being loud, silly, and a little too much for the setting: church pew, classroom, supper table. Grown folks cut up too when the teasing gets rowdy on the porch. Tone decides if it is fun or a warning. Mama saying quit cutting up means straighten up before somebody gets a switch.
How folks use it
- “Y'all quit cutting up and finish your homework.”
- “Them boys were cutting up the whole service and couldn't keep a straight face.”
Origin and etymology
American talk tied to older phrases like cutting capers and cutting loose, meaning playful antics. Southern and Appalachian speech kept cutting up as everyday scolding and joking language. Dictionaries list cut up for clowning or misbehaving, and Merriam-Webster puts cutting up beside horsing around and acting up.
Frequently asked questions
Is cutting up always bad?
No. It can mean harmless joking. It turns into trouble when somebody in charge wants quiet.