Built from cut, in the sense of taking a shorter path, and corners, the bends that can be crossed instead of followed fully. The physical shortcut became a picture of saving effort at the cost of proper work.
Save effort at the expense of quality
work
informal
To do something faster, more cheaply, or more easily by skipping important steps, usually making the result worse or less safe.
Examples
- The builder cut corners on materials, and the roof began to leak.
- We cannot cut corners when patient safety is involved.
- Did the team cut corners to meet the deadline?
- She finished quickly without cutting corners.
- If you cut corners on testing, the mistake may cost more later.
Similar words
take shortcuts
skimp
do a rush job
take the easy way out