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[1127] Cut corners

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often by omitting steps, sacrificing quality, or ignoring rules.

Origin

  • Possibly from the literal act of cutting across a corner instead of going around it, saving time/distance but potentially trespassing or damaging the corner.
  • The phrase has been used metaphorically since the late 19th century to mean taking shortcuts that compromise standards.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Skimp on (Use less of something needed)
  • Take shortcuts
  • Do a rush job
  • Do something on the cheap
  • Phone it in (Do something with minimal effort)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Half-ass it (Do a poor or incomplete job, vulgar)
  • Do a hack job (Do something crudely or unskillfully)
  • Wing it (Improvise, sometimes implies cutting corners on preparation)
  • Cheap out (Spend less money, often implying lower quality)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • They did a shit job.
  • Fucking half-arsed it. (UK/Aus spelling)

Milder/Standard:

  • They compromised on quality.
  • Standards were lowered.
  • They took an expedient but risky approach.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Widely applicable in informal and formal settings (business, personal projects, cooking, etc.).
  • Carries a negative connotation, implying reduced quality or increased risk.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The literal meaning is rarely intended.
  • Learners should understand it implies sacrificing quality or safety for speed or cost.

Examples

  • The building collapsed because the contractor cut corners on safety regulations.
  • Don't cut corners on your research; be thorough.
  • We're on a tight budget, but we can't afford to cut corners when it comes to quality.

Dialogue

Manager: The client complaints are increasing. Did we cut corners on the last production run?

Supervisor: We had to speed things up to meet the deadline, maybe some quality checks were rushed.

Manager: That's unacceptable. Never cut corners on quality control.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: PSA: Never cut corners when buying safety equipment. Your life could depend on it. #SafetyFirst
  • Reddit comment (r/DIY): Looks like the previous owner cut corners on the wiring. This is a fire hazard! #HomeImprovementFail
  • LinkedIn post: In today's competitive market, cutting corners on customer service is a recipe for disaster. #BusinessStrategy #CustomerExperience

Response Patterns

  • I agree, quality is important.
  • But we really need to save money/time. (Defensive)
  • What corners were cut specifically? (Seeking details)
  • That's risky/unprofessional.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After agreeing (I agree):

  • Might lead to discussing how *not* to cut corners. So, let's allocate more budget for materials.

After a defensive response (But we need to save money):

  • Might lead to negotiation or finding acceptable compromises. Okay, where can we save without sacrificing core quality?

After criticism (That's risky):

  • Could lead to justifying the decision or backtracking. I know, but it was the only way to meet the deadline.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Typically used to describe or critique an action, not to start a conversation.

Intonation

  • Emphasis typically falls on CUT and CORNERS.
  • The tone is often cautionary or critical.
  • They CUT CORNERS on the materials.

Generation Differences

  • Understood and used by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common across all major English-speaking regions.
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