To 'cut to the chase' means to get to the point or the most important part of something without wasting time on unnecessary details.
When do you use "Cut to the chase"?
This phrase is appropriate in situations where someone is being overly verbose or is taking too long to make their point. It can be used in meetings, conversations, or any context where a direct approach is needed.
"Cut to the chase" Usage Examples
I appreciate the background information, but let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue at hand.
After listening to his long story, I finally said, 'Can you just cut to the chase and tell me what you need?'
During the presentation, the manager told the team to cut to the chase so they could finish on time.
We don’t have much time left, so let’s cut to the chase and finalize the budget.
She often rambles, but I learned to politely tell her to cut to the chase when we meet.
"Cut to the chase" Explained
The phrase originated from the film industry in the early 20th century, particularly in silent films. In these movies, long leading scenes would often build suspense before revealing the action-packed chase scene. Filmmakers would advise editors to 'cut to the chase' to skip the slow buildup and present the most exciting part of the film right away.