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Daily English Pod
I’m Jale, an English teacher and graduate in Applied Linguistics from Canada. From Monday to Friday, I share short, practical educational podcasts. On Saturdays, you’ll hear an engaging story, and on Sundays, we explore artistic topics. Like a real magazine, these podcasts cover current issues, culture, society, and history in clear, easy-to-understand English. If you’re interested in learning English and understanding the world around you, this podcast is for you. With me, you’ll not only practice English but also gain a broader perspective on the world.
Daily English Pod
Cut corners
For checking the transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379282
Cut corners
To "cut corners" means to do something in the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way—usually by skipping steps or ignoring quality.
Examples:
1- The company cut corners by hiring fewer employees, but now customer service is terrible!
2- The contractor cut corners by using cheap paint, so the walls started peeling after a few months.
Hello and welcome to Daily English! today’s expression is "cut corners." Once again: "cut corner"
Can you guess what it means? Here are two hints:
A company wants to build a new bridge, but to save money, they use cheaper materials and rush the construction. A few years later, the bridge collapses! The engineers say, "They cut corners!"
A student has an essay due tomorrow but doesn’t have time to read the whole book. Instead, they just read a summary online. That’s definitely cutting corners!
Now What does "Cut Corners" mean?
Host: To "cut corners" means to do something in the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way—usually by skipping steps or ignoring quality.
It’s often used in a negative way, suggesting that someone is being lazy, careless, or dishonest. But sometimes, people cut corners just to save time or effort in harmless ways.
Examples:
"The company cut corners by hiring fewer employees, but now customer service is terrible!"
"The contractor cut corners by using cheap paint, so the walls started peeling after a few months."
"I was too lazy to cook, so I cut corners and just had cereal for dinner!"
Fun Fact: The phrase "cut corners" originally came from horse racing and driving. Riders or drivers would literally cut the corners of a track to finish faster—but it was risky and could cause accidents. Over time, the phrase came to mean avoiding effort or skipping steps in any situation!
Your Turn!
Have you ever cut corners? Maybe by rushing through a project, skipping steps while cooking, or even taking a shortcut while driving? Share your stories—We love to hear them!