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

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

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

The demand for new garments has slowed, and people have taken to mending their own clothes— it’s one place they can easily cut corners.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Related Words

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