odciąć

In a sentence

• Musimy odciąć gałąź, która się złamała.

  We need to cut off the branch that broke.

  Here, 'odciąć' is used in the literal sense meaning 'to cut off' or 'to remove by cutting'. It is referring to a physical action involving cutting something.

• Po nagłym odcięciu prądu, cały budynek pogrążył się w ciemnościach.

  After the sudden power cut, the whole building plunged into darkness.

  In this instance, 'odciąć' signifies the act of cutting off supply, metaphorically used for electricity. It emphasizes a cessation or disconnection from a source.

• Postanowił odciąć się od swojej przeszłości i zacząć nowe życie.

  He decided to cut himself off from his past and start a new life.

  Here, 'odciąć' is used figuratively to mean 'to sever' or 'to detach' oneself emotionally or mentally from something. It implies a deliberate choice to move away or disconnect from a past situation or relationships.