Work & business

Cut corners

To do something cheaply or quickly by skipping steps, often lowering the quality or safety.

Examples

  • The builders cut corners on the roof, and now it leaks every time it rains.
  • We're short of time, but we can't cut corners on testing.
  • He never cuts corners, which is why his code rarely breaks.

How to use it

Neutral. Usually negative in tone. Often followed by "on": cut corners on safety, cut corners on quality.