ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cut to the chase

idiom
Meaning

To get to the point; to get on with it; to state something directly.


Origin

first recorded 14th c.

From cinema usage: to cut (edit a film) so as to get to the exciting part. Also, preceded by Chaucer c.1400, "The Wife of Bath's Tale"- "And shortly forth this tale for to chace" (To cut a long story short).

Examples
SIMPLE

Please cut to the chase and tell me what happened.

CONTEXTUAL

The meeting was running late, so the manager asked everyone to cut to the chase.

COMPLEX

Tired of his colleague's endless preamble, he interrupted politely but firmly: 'Could you cut to the chase and explain what this proposal actually costs?'

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    chase a rainbow

    To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.

  2. 02

    chase after

    To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.

  3. 03

    chase away

    To get rid of.

  4. 04

    chase off

    To drive someone or something away.

  5. 05

    chase one's tail

    To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with inefficient use of one's time and limited results.

  6. 06

    chase rainbows

    To pursue unrealistic or fanciful goals.

  7. 07

    chase tail

    To be on the hunt for a (usually sexual) partner.

  8. 08

    chase the dragon

    To chase after the promise of a continually fulfilling high from an addictive substance.

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