Translation guide
The act of stopping an activity or investment that is losing money or failing, to prevent further loss. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several common phrases and verbs.
To express the idea of cutting one's losses in a broad sense, such as quitting a project or selling a declining stock.
A very common phrase literally meaning 'loss cutting'. Used especially in investing but also in general contexts.
株が下がり続けたので、損切りすることにした。
Since the stock kept falling, I decided to cut my losses.
Means 'to give up on' or 'to write off'. Implies recognizing that something is hopeless and abandoning it.
この事業はもう見切りをつけるべきだ。
We should cut our losses on this business.
Literally 'pull one's hand back'. Means to withdraw from an involvement or stop participating in something.
これ以上損失が増える前に、手を引いたほうがいい。
You should cut your losses before the losses increase further.
A more explicit phrase meaning 'to quit while accepting the loss'. Useful when emphasizing the acceptance of the loss.
損を承知でやめる決断をした。
I made the decision to cut my losses.
Specifically in financial contexts, to sell a stock or other asset that has decreased in value.
The standard term in investing for cutting losses. Can be used as a noun (損切り) or verb.
損切りのタイミングが難しい。
The timing of cutting losses is difficult.
Loanword from English 'loss cut'. Common in forex and margin trading contexts.
ロスカットされないように注意してください。
Be careful not to get your position cut (by a margin call).
To stop a business initiative that is not profitable or successful.
Means 'to withdraw' or 'pull out'. Commonly used when a company exits a market or discontinues a product line.
その会社は赤字事業から撤退した。
The company cut its losses and withdrew from the unprofitable business.
Means 'to terminate' or 'discontinue'. Used for projects, programs, or products.
開発プロジェクトを打ち切る決断を下した。
They decided to cut their losses and terminate the development project.
損切り is more concrete and often financial, while 見切りをつける is broader and implies giving up hope on something. 手を引く emphasizes the act of withdrawing.
損切りが遅れて大損した。
I delayed cutting my losses and lost a lot.
彼は会社に見切りをつけて独立した。
He gave up on the company and went independent.