PhrasesHub

Cut corners

    Definitions

      • To take shortcuts or avoid necessary steps
        To complete a task or activity in a quicker or easier manner, often resulting in a lower quality or less desirable outcome

      • To be thrifty or save money
        Referring to the act of cutting corners to save expenses, often at the expense of quality or safety

      • To deviate from traditional methods or rules
        To break from established norms or practices, often in an effort to expedite a process or achieve a desired result

    Examples of Cut corners

    • To save time and money, the construction company cut corners during the building process, which resulted in structural issues and safety hazards.

      The idiom "cut corners" refers to taking shortcuts or doing things in a less than optimal way in order to save time or money. In this example, the construction company cut corners during the building process, which led to problems with the structure and safety of the building.

    • The student cut corners on her essay by copying and pasting information from other sources without proper citation, which resulted in a lower grade and potential academic dishonesty charges.

      Here, the student cut corners by plagiarizing instead of doing the necessary research and writing the essay herself. This led to a lower grade and the possibility of academic dishonesty charges.

    • The chef cut corners by using cheaper ingredients in the restaurant's signature dish, which led to a decrease in quality and customer satisfaction.

      In this example, the chef cut corners by using cheaper ingredients in the restaurant's signature dish. This resulted in a decrease in quality and customer satisfaction, as the dish did not live up to its reputation.

    • The athlete cut corners by taking shortcuts during training, which resulted in a lack of preparation and a subpar performance during the competition.

      The athlete cut corners by taking shortcuts during training, which led to a lack of preparation and a subpar performance during the competition. This highlights the importance of putting in the necessary work and effort to achieve success.

    • The artist cut corners by rushing through the painting, which resulted in a lack of detail and texture in the finished product.

      In this example, the artist cut corners by rushing through the painting. This led to a lack of detail and texture in the finished product, which was noticeable to the viewer. This illustrates the importance of taking the time and care necessary to create a high-quality work of art.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "cut corners" is typically used to describe a situation where someone takes shortcuts or avoids necessary steps in order to complete a task or achieve a goal. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as saving time, money, or effort. However, it often results in a lower quality or less desirable outcome.

    In some cases, "cutting corners" may also refer to being thrifty or trying to save money by skimping on certain aspects of a project or activity. This can also lead to negative consequences, such as sacrificing quality or safety.

    Lastly, "cutting corners" can also be used to describe deviating from traditional methods or rules in order to achieve a desired result. This can be seen as a form of innovation or thinking outside the box, but it can also lead to negative consequences if the established norms and practices were in place for a reason.

    Origin of "Cut corners"

    The origin of the idiom "cut corners" is not clear, but it is believed to have originated from the world of carpentry. In carpentry, cutting corners refers to the practice of trimming off the corners of a piece of wood in order to save time and effort. This may result in a less precise or sturdy construction, but it allows for a quicker completion of the project.

    Over time, the phrase "cutting corners" began to be used in a figurative sense, referring to any situation where someone takes shortcuts or avoids necessary steps in order to achieve a goal. It has become a common idiom in the English language, used in a variety of contexts to describe various forms of cutting corners in order to save time, money, or effort.