There are several synonyms for the phrase "cutting down on," which generally means to reduce or decrease something. Some alternative phrases include "curtailing," "diminishing," "lessening," "reducing," "trimming," and "paring back." These synonyms can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the sentence or the tone you're trying to set. For instance, if you're discussing the need to reduce spending, you could use phrases like "paring back expenses" or "cutting down on expenditures." Regardless of the synonym you choose, each phrase communicates a desire to reduce the amount of something, and each can be an effective tool in communicating your message to others.