[Idiom] CUT CORNERS. - Unlocking the Secrets to Efficiency or Shortcut Disaster?

Do something in the easiest or shortest way by not following the proper steps.

Cut corners" is an idiom that means to do something the easiest or quickest way by skipping necessary steps or doing a job incompletely. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the result is lower quality or less than satisfactory. It's believed to come from the idea of taking the shortest route around a corner rather than sticking to a more laborious path. This idiom is particularly relevant in discussions about quality control, business ethics, and personal integrity, where the temptation to take shortcuts can lead to significant consequences, both good and bad, depending on the context.

Example Sentences

1. They always cut corners when building their furniture.

   Describing a practice of reducing effort and possibly quality in making furniture.

2. You can't cut corners and expect good results.

   Highlighting the folly of expecting good results when efforts are minimized.

3. In the rush to meet the deadline, the team cut corners on the project's final review, leading to several issues later.

   Describing how a team rushed their work and skipped necessary steps in a review to meet a deadline, which caused problems later.