cut across

British  

verb

1. (intr) to be contrary to ordinary procedure or limitations

   opinion on European integration still cuts clean across party lines

2. to cross or traverse, making a shorter route

   she cut across the field quickly

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cut across Idioms  

1. Go beyond, transcend, as in The new regulations cut across class lines. This figurative use of cut across, which literally means “run through” or “intersect,” dates from the 1920s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cut across

We expected immigration positions to tie directly to political affiliation, but results cut across party lines, with 79% of Republicans, 88% of independents and 95% of Democrats in favor.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

The dynamic cut across the software sector unequally on Friday, however.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026

The Walt Disney Co. has begun a broad round of layoffs, which will result in 1,000 jobs being cut across multiple divisions within the Burbank entertainment giant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2026

The loans that Blue Owl sold, which cut across 128 different companies in 27 industries, are illiquid, hard to value and lack market quotes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

Most of them cut across our way, so we too must go north, not east.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• cruise
• navigate
• pass over
• ply
• sail
• span
• traverse