cut across — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 to go across an area instead of going around the edgeto move straight through the middle of a place, rather than following the usual path around it, in order to save time or distance.
2 affect multiple groupsto be relevant to or have an influence on several different groups, categories, or areas, especially in a way that ignores traditional boundaries or distinctions.

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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

to go across an area instead of going around the edge

B1cut across sthspokenMost common

to move straight through the middle of a place, rather than following the usual path around it, in order to save time or distance.

We decided to cut across the park to get home faster.

A: How did you get here so quickly?
B: I cut across the field instead of walking all the way around.

If I'm running late for class, I usually cut across the campus lawn instead of taking the main path.

Common mistake

✗Let's cut across through the park.

✓Let's cut across the park.

'Cut across' already means go through — don't add 'through'.

Tell it apart

Let's cut across the field.

go straight through it

Let's go around the field.

follow the edge — the long way

Use 'cut across' when you want to talk about taking a shorter or more direct route through a space, not following the usual path.'Cut across' is different from 'go around', which means to follow the edge or border of a place.

Often paired with

cut across + place

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affect multiple groups

C2cut across sth sthwrittenformal

to be relevant to or have an influence on several different groups, categories, or areas, especially in a way that ignores traditional boundaries or distinctions.

The problem of climate change cuts across national, economic, and social boundaries.

A: Do you think this policy only affects students?
B: Not at all—it really cuts across all age groups and backgrounds.

The issue of digital privacy cuts across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and finance, making it a universal concern.

Common mistake

✗The problem cuts across in all groups.

✓The problem cuts across all groups.

Takes the object directly — no 'in'.

Tell it apart

The appeal cuts across party lines.

spans every group

Let's cut across the field.

take a shortcut through it

'Cut across' in this sense is typically used in formal or academic contexts to emphasise that something is relevant to or influences a range of different groups or areas, not just one. It suggests that the issue or phenomenon does not respect usual divisions.Unlike the B1 sense, which is literal and refers to physically moving through a space, this sense is figurative and describes how an idea, issue, or phenomenon affects multiple categories or groups.

Often paired with

cut across + boundaries

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to go across an area instead of going around the edge affect multiple groups