[Idiom] CUTTING IT CLOSE. - How Timely Execution Can Be a Thrilling Experience

Cutting it close.

Cutting it close.

/ˈkʌtɪŋ ɪt kloʊs/

Doing something just in time.

The phrase "cutting it close" refers to doing something at the last possible moment, leaving very little margin for error. This expression often carries a sense of risk as success depends on precise timing. It's commonly used in contexts like arriving just before a deadline, finishing a task just in time before something else happens, or narrowly avoiding disaster. The idiom is popular among professionals and students alike, who often find themselves pushing limits to meet deadlines. It can serve as a reminder of the thrill—and peril—of procrastination and the importance of timely execution in daily tasks.

Example Sentences

  1. We're cutting it close with the deadline approaching.

    Indicating that there is little time left before a deadline.

  2. She's cutting it close arriving just before the meeting starts.

    Arriving just in time for a meeting, with barely any time to spare.

  3. John was cutting it close by submitting his application minutes before the cutoff time.

    Submitting an application at the last possible moment before it is too late.

Time really flies when you're having fun!
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