Cut off & Cut out Hi. Could you please explain to me what does "cut out" means, when it comes to talking about electric and electronic devices and machinery? Thank you so much! Example sentences: • Bell regrets the silence the instant the signal cuts out. • Thomas' phone cuts out. • The power cuts out. The room goes black. • It's frustrating, even life threatening at times, when your cell phone service cuts out. • The engine cuts out and the ski-boat drifts, a hundred feet from Tom. P.S. If I got the meaning of "cut out" correctly, the only difference between "cut off" and "cut out" is that the second one (cut out) could be something what happens unexpectedly, accidentally or by chance (without any intention). Is that correct?