Phrasal verb
cut across
Definitions
01to take a shortcut
phr.v. to go across a space like a park or a field to save time instead of staying on the main path.
phr.v. to traverse a specific area or space to create a shorter route than the established path.
“We decided to cut across the park to get to the station faster.”
“The hikers chose to cut across the meadow rather than following the winding trail, hoping to reach the summit before the storm arrived.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a noun phrase representing the area being crossed.
02to affect different groups
phr.v. to affect or involve many different groups of people, regardless of their differences.
phr.v. to transcend or span across different social, political, or conceptual boundaries.
“The need for clean water is an issue that cuts across all political parties.”
“The economic crisis was a systemic failure that cut across all sectors of society, affecting both the wealthy elite and the working class.”
Usage
Often used with abstract nouns like 'boundaries', 'lines', or 'classes'.
Teaching tip
distinguish between the literal movement sense and the figurative 'transcend' sense; the figurative use is common in political and academic discussions.
Phrasal verb
Particles
across
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cut + across + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/cut-across