cut corners

phrase

: to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way

Examples of cut corners in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the fracking boom, some pipeline developers raced for market share and cut corners on siting, restoration and appearance. — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Congress should hold hearings focused on companies cutting corners, not AI programs behaving badly. — David Litt, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 If the training accidentally rewards cutting corners, the model learns that cutting corners pays. — Anat Lior, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 Lectric At the same time Lectric hasn’t cut corners on safety components. — New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cut corners

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cut corners was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cut corners.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20corners. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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