Looking up...
to do something in a cheaper or quicker way by ignoring quality, safety, or proper procedures
The company cut corners on safety inspections to meet the deadline.
The company ignored safety procedures to save time.
Don't cut corners when installing electrical wiring.
Always follow proper procedures for safety.
Often implies neglecting standards for short-term gains.
to take a shorter but less direct route
The road was blocked, so we had to cut corners through the field.
We took a shortcut through the field.
Less common than the idiomatic meaning.
Use 'cut corners' when describing actions that sacrifice quality for speed, cost, or convenience. It implies a negative outcome. For example: 'The restaurant cut corners on food safety, leading to a health inspection failure.'
In fields like engineering, medicine, or law, cutting corners can have serious consequences. Always prioritize proper procedures over speed.
First recorded in the early 19th century. 'Cut' implies reducing or shortening, while 'corners' metaphorically represent the essential parts of a process or structure. Originally referred to taking a shorter route (literal meaning), later extended to figurative neglect of quality.
Common in business, construction, and manufacturing contexts. Often carries a negative connotation, implying recklessness or unethical behavior.