Maybe she was trying to cut free on several levels.

They tried to cut her open, but she was like rock.

Continue at that level for some months before trying again to cut back further.

"They must be going to try to cut their way in."

"Do you think the good judge will try to cut some kind of a deal?"

He is trying to cut the response time to 911 calls.

A few tried to cut into the line, without success.

Congress is expected to try to cut the military budget further.

At the same time, the company is trying to cut costs.

"They should not try to cut the plan in half."