Cut Corners, To ✂️
Definition: To do a hasty, slipshod job; also, to act illegally. The term comes from using a direct route that omits corners or from moving very fast and rounding turns very closely. The idiom has been in use since the mid-19th century. As Mark Twain put it in Innocents Abroad (1869): “He cuts a corner so closely now and then . . . that I feel myself ‘scooching.’”
Synonyms: skimp, take shortcuts, rush, speed through, half-ass it, scrimp
Antonyms: adhere to rules, follow procedures, be thorough, take one’s time, dot the i’s and cross the t’s
Humorous Quotes:
- “Why take the road less traveled when you can cut across someone’s lawn?” – Anonymous
- “If laziness was an Olympic event, cutting corners would be its ten-second sprint.” – Johnny Quickstep
Proverbs and Related Expressions:
- The devil is in the details – Paying attention to details is crucial to success.
- A stitch in time saves nine – Fixing a small problem promptly can prevent it from becoming a larger issue.
- Haste makes waste – Rushed work is sloppy and often needs to be redone.
Recommended Literature:
- Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain – Witness Mark Twain’s humor in full swing as he narrates his travel experiences.
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – Learn which ‘shortcuts’ are efficient pivots and which ones could ruin everything.
Songs and Poetry:
- “Workin’ Man Blues” by Merle Haggard – A song that exalts the value of hard work, contrasts beautifully with the pitfalls of cutting corners.
- “If” by Rudyard Kipling – A timeless poem advising thoroughness and balance.
Movies:
- Office Space – A satirical take on the cubicle life, where cutting corners occurs both hilariously and disastrously.
- The Pursuit of Happyness – Showcases the value of perseverance and thoroughness.
From rigorous efficiency to borderline laziness, remember the fine line between smart shortcuts and slipshod decisions. Until next time, dare to stroll, rather than hastily cut corners in your life.
