cut something in half/in two

[sunsunmoon]

cut - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online
cut something in half/in two
Cut the orange in half.

Are "cut something into half" and "cut something to half" correct too?

 

[5jj]

Cut the orange in half.

Are "cut something into half" and "cut something to half" correct too?

No, though you could cut it into halves.

 

[sunsunmoon]

- cut something in half
- cut something into halves

Do these mean exactly the same thing?

 

[5jj]

- cut something in half
- cut something into halves

Do these mean exactly the same thing?

Not exactly. If you cut something in half, your interest is in the halving of the the whole.

If you cut it into halves, your interest is more in the fact that you have two halves/pieces.

Usually there is little practical difference, and 'cut something in half' is more common.

 

[Raymott]

It's paradoxical that cutting something in half is cutting it in two, but there you have it.
We don't say, "Cut it in three" (or not that I've heard) or any higher number. "Cut it into thirds/quarters" is the correct way of saying this.