cut corners

Idioms  

1. Do something in the easiest or least expensive way; also, act illegally. For example, Cutting corners in production led to a definite loss in product quality, or If the accountant cuts corners the auditors are sure to find out. This term alludes to rounding a corner as closely as possible in order to shorten the distance traversed and/or save time. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cut corners

But it is important not to cut corners, says Ryan McKeown, a CPA with Modern Wealth Enhancement in Minnesota.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

The prosecutor claimed there was evidence showing that he "cut corners" to "save cost".

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

In Kanazawa, workers dressed in full-body overalls haul large blocks of ice across the factory floor, before starting on the delicate work of carving perfect spheres, cubes and rectangular blocks with cut corners.

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

The problem with tax preparers getting paid with a piece of the refund is that it can be an incentive for them to cut corners.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026

There were the hardworking ones who were easy to get along with and didn’t try to cut corners and melded in quite nicely.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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