cut corners
to do something in the easiest, cheapest or fastest way
TRANSLATION
cut corners = Abstriche machen, um Zeit oder Geld zu sparen --- GOOGLE INDEX cut corners: approximately 12,000,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
The butcher at the centre of an E.coli outbreak encouraged staff to CUT CORNERS, putting profits above safety, a public inquiry hears.
(BBC News)
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We don't let anyone CUT CORNERS on safety. If there's a production process that can be made safer, we seek out the foremost authorities in the world, the foremost experts, then cut in a new standard and then take that and apply it to the entire supply chain.
(CNN)
(BBC News)
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We don't let anyone CUT CORNERS on safety. If there's a production process that can be made safer, we seek out the foremost authorities in the world, the foremost experts, then cut in a new standard and then take that and apply it to the entire supply chain.
(CNN)
Did you
know?
cut corners
idiom
- to do something in the easiest, cheapest or fastest way
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
Automotive racing fans, and drivers in general, will appreciate the origin of the expression "cut corners."
The goal in motor sports is obviously simple: reach the finish line and get the chequered flag before your fellow drivers. According to the laws of physics, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Race car drivers (except drag car racers) don't have the luxury of just driving straight however.
Formula 1 tracks are particularly tricky because of the numerous curves or "chicanes" as they are called. Some drivers try to "cut" these corners by driving so close to the inside that the car leaves the track.
Depending on how blatant drivers cut corners in order to a gain an advantage, this manoeuvre can result in a rules violation in F1 racing. Although the practice is frowned upon, it's not uncommon. As American racing legend AJ Foyt once said, "Nobody remembers who finished second except the guy who finished second."
When used in a figurative sense, "cutting corners" essentially means taking the path of least resistance to get something accomplished, usually in an effort to save money. This is often done by sacrificing quality and/or safety.
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SYNONYMS
take shortcuts, skimp, take the easy route
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Under competitive pressure cutting corners is sometimes necessary in order to survive."
idiom
- to do something in the easiest, cheapest or fastest way
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
Automotive racing fans, and drivers in general, will appreciate the origin of the expression "cut corners."
The goal in motor sports is obviously simple: reach the finish line and get the chequered flag before your fellow drivers. According to the laws of physics, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Race car drivers (except drag car racers) don't have the luxury of just driving straight however.
Formula 1 tracks are particularly tricky because of the numerous curves or "chicanes" as they are called. Some drivers try to "cut" these corners by driving so close to the inside that the car leaves the track.
Depending on how blatant drivers cut corners in order to a gain an advantage, this manoeuvre can result in a rules violation in F1 racing. Although the practice is frowned upon, it's not uncommon. As American racing legend AJ Foyt once said, "Nobody remembers who finished second except the guy who finished second."
When used in a figurative sense, "cutting corners" essentially means taking the path of least resistance to get something accomplished, usually in an effort to save money. This is often done by sacrificing quality and/or safety.
---
SYNONYMS
take shortcuts, skimp, take the easy route
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Under competitive pressure cutting corners is sometimes necessary in order to survive."
