Meaning trap
cut across
to go across an area instead of going around the edge
to move straight through the middle of a place, rather than following the usual path around it, in order to save time or distance.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to move straight through the middle of a place, rather than following the usual path around it, in order to save time or distance.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- 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
Fix the pattern
Pattern: cut across + noun
WrongLet's cut across through the park.
RightLet's cut across the park.
'Cut across' already means go through — don't add 'through'.
Patterncut across + noun
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Proceed diagonally to economise time' is absurdly formal; 'cut across' is the everyday shortcut verb.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
cut across + placethe fieldthe parkthe car parkthe grass
Don't confuse it
'Cut across' is different from 'go around', which means to follow the edge or border of a place.