Cut to the Chase (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Cut to the Chase"?

The term "cut to the chase" means to leave out all the unnecessary details and get to the point.

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Cut to the Chase (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • Let's cut to the chase and get straight to the main point of the discussion.
  • Instead of going through all the details, let's cut to the chase and focus on the most important aspects.
  • We've discussed various options, but now it's time to cut to the chase and make a decision.
  • Enough beating around the bush; let's cut to the chase and address the issue at hand.
  • The meeting is running behind schedule, so let's cut to the chase and cover the key points quickly.
"Cut to the chase" originates from the US film industry in the 1920s. Back then, films were silent and the most exciting part of any film was usually a culminating chase scene. An instruction to "cut to the chase" means to edit out the boring detail of the story (literally by cutting the film) and to roll the film only from the good part - the chase. Nowadays, of course, it used figuratively. It is an instruction to someone to tell just the important facts.

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See Also

What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs