cut and dried
Simple, straightforward, clear, or certain.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The answer was cut and dried.”
“The rules for this board game are cut and dried.”
“The doctor says the recovery timeline is cut and dried.”
“The contract terms were cut and dried, so we signed it quickly.”
“The manager explained that the promotion process is not cut and dried because it depends on many different performance factors.”
“I thought my weekend plans were cut and dried until my boss asked me to work an extra shift on Saturday.”
“Even though the instructions seem cut and dried, many students still struggle to assemble the model correctly on their first try.”
“What seemed like a cut and dried case grew complicated when new evidence emerged, forcing the lawyers to rethink their strategy entirely.”
first recorded 17th c.
First appearing c. 1643, the phrase derives from the commercial preparation of herbs. Unlike fresh plants, which remained in their natural state, these were cut and dried before being offered for sale. The term recorded the transition of the botanical from a growing thing to a finished, preserved commodity ready for the market.
- 01
clear cut
Straightforward, obvious, simple, or basic.
- 02
cut a dash
To make a display of oneself; to give a conspicuous impression.
- 03
cut a deal
To reach a negotiated agreement.
- 04
cut a figure
To present an image; to make an impression.
- 05
cut a rug
To dance, especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century.
- 06
cut a swath
Alternative form of cut a wide swath.
- 07
cut a wide swath
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
- 08
cut about
To go around (move from person to person).
Last updated August 10, 2026