1 B1 neutral
To move directly through an area as a shortcut.
"If we cut through the alley, we'll reach the station much faster."
inseparable
cut through
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To move or cut directly through something, often a shortcut; or to deal with complexity clearly and directly.
In plain English
To go straight through something to save time, or to deal with a complicated problem in a clear and direct way.
What does "cut through" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To penetrate or slice through a physical material or substance.
"The laser cut through the metal with remarkable precision."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To deal with or see past something complex, confusing, or obstructive in a clear and direct way.
"Her presentation cut through all the jargon and explained the issue in plain terms."
“
We need to cut through the red tape and get this project moving.
— Phrase commonly used in business and political speeches; widely attributed to various UK and US politicians during deregulation debates in the 1980s–1990s.
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a blade or sharp object to pass through the middle of something.
Actually means
To go straight through something to save time, or to deal with a complicated problem in a clear and direct way.
Usage tip
Very common in both literal and figurative senses. The figurative sense ('cut through the bureaucracy', 'cut through the noise') is very popular in business and political speech. Often suggests efficiency and clarity.
Words that pair with "cut through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
red tape bureaucracy noise confusion park shortcut
How to conjugate "cut through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cut through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cuts through
he/she/it
Past simple
cut through
yesterday
Past participle
cut through
have + pp
-ing form
cutting through
continuous
Hear "cut through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cut through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.