Cut out early (4)
I believe the answer is:
bail
'cut out early' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for bail that I've seen before include "Crosspiece on a 14 across" , "Surety - part of wicket - scoop" , "Conditional release" , "Security for temporary release" , "Piece of sporting apparatus" .)