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

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

Students understand AI’s power because many of us already use it to cut corners in school.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

When deadlines and bills are circling you, the temptation to cut corners is extremely powerful.

From Slate ● Mar. 28, 2026

Caviar and truffle prices are skyrocketing, forcing Tirel to cut corners while clinging to his restaurant’s former glory.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 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

Related Words

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