切り
きり · kiri · JLPT N3 · noun
limit
✂️ 切り = noun of 切る (to cut): the cut-off point where you stop
切る (kiru) means to cut. Its noun form 切り (kiri) is the cut itself, so the place where something ends: a limit, or a good point to leave off. It is the same 切り as in 区切り (break, pause) and 締め切り (deadline).
切 — 七 (phonetic) + 刀 (knife radical)
切 is a semantic-phonetic compound: 刀 'knife' gives the meaning of cutting, while 七 supplies the sound. The original sense was to slice or cut with a blade. From there it extended figuratively to 'close to' (as in pressed against) and 'urgent/earnest', as in 切实.