cut down

cut down on; make a reduction in

• “reduce your daily fat intake”
• “The employer wants to cut back health benefits”

cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete

cause to come or go down

• “The policeman downed the heavily armed suspect”
• “The mugger knocked down the old lady after she refused to hand over her wallet”

intercept (a player)

cut with a blade or mower

• “mow the grass”

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

• “strike down a tree”
• “Lightning struck down the hikers”

cut down

• “the tree is down”