Cut to the Chase
Meaning: To skip the unnecessary details and get straight to the main point.
“Cut to the chase” means to skip the small talk and get to the point. This phrase comes from early movies where people wanted to skip boring scenes and go straight to the exciting chase scenes. Today, we use it when someone is talking too much and we want them to speak directly.
How to use it
It’s used at work, in meetings and in everyday talk. Using it about yourself sounds efficient: “Let me cut to the chase.” Telling someone else to “cut to the chase” can sound impatient or rude, so with a boss or client, try “Could we get to the main point?” instead.
Examples
- I’ll cut to the chase: we need to lower the price.
- We only have five minutes, so let’s cut to the chase.
- To cut to the chase, the project is two weeks behind.
A common mistake
Don’t drop “to”: it’s cut to the chase, not “cut the chase.” And be careful saying it to someone older or more senior. It can sound like “you’re wasting my time.”
Where it comes from
It comes from early Hollywood. “Cut to” was a script direction for switching scenes, and chase scenes were the exciting part of many silent films. The phrase appears in print by 1929, and the meaning “get to the point” spread later.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Suzanne Arnold