cut across — to go across an area instead of going around the edge
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to move straight through the middle of a place, rather than following the usual path around it, in order to save time or distance.
Say it like a native
Textbook Let us proceed diagonally through the park to economise time.
Native Let's cut across the park to save time.
'Proceed diagonally to economise time' is absurdly formal; 'cut across' is the everyday shortcut verb.
Pattern: cut across + noun
In use
- We decided to cut across the park to get home faster.daily life
- If I'm running late for class, I usually cut across the campus lawn instead of taking the main path.IELTS speaking
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'.
Common collocations
cut across + place— the field, the park, the car park, the grass
Don't confuse it
'Cut across' is different from 'go around', which means to follow the edge or border of a place.