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

Some argue a headlong commercial race will inevitably incentivize companies to cut corners on safety.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

But those cases all involved human decisions -- executives, salespeople or engineers who made choices and cut corners.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

The stakes are high for her and anyone else who may be unaware that their tax preparer cut corners or committed fraud — even if it happened decades ago, the court papers said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 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

Related Words

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