cut to the chase
/ˌkʌt tə ðə ˈtʃeɪs/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to talk about the most important thing without delay
Examples
- 1We've only got five minutes, so let's cut to the chase: can you finish by Friday?
- 2Priya cut to the chase and asked the landlord why the rent had gone up.
- 3I don't need the whole history of the problem; just cut to the chase and tell me what's broken.
- 4The interview was refreshingly short because the director cut to the chase with her very first question.
- 5Ben, you've been talking for ages – could you cut to the chase, please?
Grammar
cut has the same past form: cut, cut. The rest of the phrase does not change.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →read between the linesto understand what someone means but does not saykeep someone in the loopto make sure someone knows what is happeninghit the nail on the headto describe exactly what is causing a problemget the wrong end of the stickto misunderstand what someone meansspeak your mindto say honestly and directly what you thinkword of mouthnews passed on by people telling each other
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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