Cutting-in refers to the technique of painting the edges, corners, and other intricate areas of a surface with precision, typically using a brush. It involves carefully applying paint to create clean and sharp lines where two surfaces meet, such as where a wall meets a ceiling or where different colours or textures intersect. Cutting-in is commonly used in painting projects to achieve a professional and polished finish.

Example: The painter spent extra time cutting in around the window frames and door trims, ensuring a neat and precise paint job that added a refined touch to the room.

Synonyms or words with similar meanings to cutting-in include:

• Edging: Edging involves painting along the edges or borders of a surface. Cutting-in is a form of edging that focuses on achieving precise lines and defining boundaries between different areas.
• Detailing: Detailing refers to the process of paying close attention to the finer elements of a task. Cutting-in can be seen as a form of detailing in painting, where careful brushwork is used to paint intricate or hard-to-reach areas.
• Trimming: Trimming involves painting or applying a contrasting colour or material to enhance the edges or borders of a surface. Cutting-in can be considered a type of trimming that provides a clean and defined look to the edges and corners.
• Outlining: Outlining refers to creating a distinct and visible boundary around an object or area. Cutting-in can be seen as a way of outlining specific parts of a surface, ensuring a clear separation between different elements.
• Precision painting: Precision painting emphasizes accuracy and attention to detail when applying paint. Cutting-in is a technique associated with precision painting, as it requires careful brushwork to achieve clean and well-defined lines.

These terms can be used interchangeably or in conjunction with cutting-in to describe the technique of painting edges, corners, and intricate areas with precision, using a brush to achieve a polished and professional finish.