cut across
يعبر
Literalmente: to slice through a space
Use it to describe taking a shortcut or explaining how something affects everyone regardless of their group.
En 15 segundos
- To take a shorter route through a specific area.
- To affect or involve many different groups of people.
- A versatile phrase for both physical shortcuts and social trends.
Significado
To take a shorter path through a place instead of going around it, or to affect people from many different groups and backgrounds.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Walking with a friend
If we cut across the park, we will be home in five minutes.
If we take the shortcut through the park, we will be home in five minutes.
In a business meeting
The need for better security cuts across all departments.
The need for better security affects all departments.
Texting a late friend
Just cut across the lobby and meet me at the back exit!
Just go through the lobby and meet me at the back exit!
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the Western cultural emphasis on efficiency and 'getting straight to the point.' It originated from physical movement across land but evolved in the mid-20th century to describe social issues that transcend traditional boundaries like class or race.
The 'Shortcut' Rule
Always use 'cut across' when you want to emphasize that you are saving time by not following the main path.
Don't confuse with 'Cut Off'
To 'cut off' someone means to interrupt them or stop them. 'Cut across' is about movement or shared impact.
En 15 segundos
- To take a shorter route through a specific area.
- To affect or involve many different groups of people.
- A versatile phrase for both physical shortcuts and social trends.
What It Means
Imagine you are walking around a large park. Instead of following the long, curved path, you walk right through the grass to save time. That is the physical meaning of cut across. You are literally cutting through a space. It also has a deeper meaning. It describes something that affects everyone, regardless of their age, job, or social status. It 'cuts across' boundaries like a knife through a cake.
How To Use It
For the physical meaning, use it with places. You can cut across a field, a parking lot, or a backyard. It sounds very natural and active. For the abstract meaning, use it with social groups. You might say a problem cuts across all social classes. It is a great way to show that something is universal. Just remember, it implies a shortcut or a shared experience.
When To Use It
You will use this when you are in a hurry. Tell your friend, "Let's cut across the mall to get to the car." Use it in meetings to discuss big trends. "This new policy cuts across every department in the company." It works perfectly when you want to describe a shortcut or a broad impact. It makes you sound like a native speaker who values efficiency.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are literally cutting an object into pieces. If you have a steak, you cut it, you don't cut across it (unless you mean the grain of the meat). Avoid using it for simple movement where no shortcut is involved. If you are just walking down a street, don't say you are cutting across it. It needs that 'shortcut' or 'boundary-breaking' energy to feel right.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, efficiency is highly valued. The idea of 'cutting corners' or 'cutting across' reflects a desire to save time. Historically, it comes from rural life. Farmers would cut across fields rather than using the long dirt roads. Today, it represents how modern issues like technology or climate change don't care about borders. They affect everyone equally.
Common Variations
You might hear cut through, which is almost identical. However, cut across usually implies moving from one side to the other. Cut through often implies moving into the middle of something thick, like a crowd. You can also say shortcut, but cut across is more descriptive of the actual movement. It feels more like an action you are taking right now.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any setting. Just be careful to use it only when there is a sense of 'crossing over' or 'affecting multiple areas.'
The 'Shortcut' Rule
Always use 'cut across' when you want to emphasize that you are saving time by not following the main path.
Don't confuse with 'Cut Off'
To 'cut off' someone means to interrupt them or stop them. 'Cut across' is about movement or shared impact.
The 'Party Lines' Secret
In news and politics, you will often hear 'cuts across party lines.' This is a very common way to say both sides agree on something.
Ejemplos
6If we cut across the park, we will be home in five minutes.
If we take the shortcut through the park, we will be home in five minutes.
Used here for a physical shortcut to save time.
The need for better security cuts across all departments.
The need for better security affects all departments.
Used here to show a universal concern in a company.
Just cut across the lobby and meet me at the back exit!
Just go through the lobby and meet me at the back exit!
Giving quick directions via text.
This film's message cuts across different cultures and ages.
This film's message is understood by different cultures and ages.
Describing the broad appeal of a piece of art.
Don't cut across my lawn unless you want to meet my grumpy dog!
Don't walk across my grass unless you want to meet my grumpy dog!
A lighthearted way to tell someone to stay off the grass.
Support for the new park cuts across party lines.
Support for the new park comes from all political parties.
Showing that an issue is not limited to one group.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best context for 'cut across' in a physical sense.
We were late, so we decided to ___ the empty parking lot.
To 'cut across' means to take a shorter route through an area like a parking lot.
Choose the best context for 'cut across' in a social sense.
The rise in food prices ___ all income levels.
When something affects various groups or levels, we say it 'cuts across' them.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Cut Across'
Used with friends for shortcuts.
Let's cut across the yard.
Standard everyday use.
He cut across the street to avoid the crowd.
Used in academic or professional analysis.
The data cuts across several demographics.
Where to use 'Cut Across'
Shortcuts
Cutting across a field to save time.
Social Issues
Problems that affect everyone.
Workplace
Rules that apply to all teams.
Directions
Telling someone to go through a building.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt means to take a shorter way through a place or to affect many different groups of people. For example, cut across the grass means taking a shortcut.
Not usually. You cut across a space or a group, but you don't 'cut across a person' unless you are literally walking in front of them to get somewhere else.
It is neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a serious business report about social trends.
They are very similar. Cut across usually means going from one side to another, while cut through often means going into the middle of something like a forest or a crowd.
Yes, the past tense is cut across. For example: 'Yesterday, we cut across the field to get to the station.'
Sort of, but cut across implies movement or impact, whereas 'intersect' is a more static, mathematical term for lines crossing.
Yes, it is used in all major varieties of English, including British, American, and Australian.
Yes, you could say a feeling of grief cuts across all other emotions, meaning it is the most dominant one.
Using 'cut across' when you just mean 'cross.' If you use a crosswalk, you cross the street. If you run diagonally through traffic, you cut across the street.
You can say, 'The love for football cuts across all social classes in this country.'
Frases relacionadas
cut through
To go through the middle of something or get past a difficult situation quickly.
take a shortcut
To take a route that is shorter than the usual one.
bridge the gap
To connect two different groups or ideas.
transcend boundaries
To go beyond the limits of something, like culture or age.
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