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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cut corners

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

It is easy to see why young people fear employers will use it to cut corners on them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 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

We’re having to cut corners and sell off our uncles’ cars and the furniture from my grandparents’ house from when Papito was making money.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• collect
• conserve
• keep
• maintain
• manage
• spare
• store

---