Cut to the chase

Cut to the chase

"Cut to the chase" is a saying that means to get to the point without wasting time (originally, "cut to the chaff).

The phrase originated from early silent films. It was a favorite of and thought to have been coined by Hal Roach Sr (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992). Films, particularly comedies, often climaxed in chase scenes to add to film time. Some inexperienced screenwriter or director, unsure how to get to the climax or the lack of script to meet time requirements, would just make an abrupt transition, known as a cut.

An earlier version of the phrase (recorded 1880-1940) was Cut to Hecuba. This refers to the practice of shortening matinée performances of Hamlet by cutting the long speeches before the reference to Hecuba in Act II, Scene ii.[1]

References

  1. ^ "A Dictionary of Catch Phrases", ed. Eric Partridge & Paul Beale, 2nd ed. 1985, p.59; ISBN 0-7102-0495-7

External


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • cut to the chase — Chase Chase, n. [Cf. F. chasse, fr. chasser. See {Chase}, v.] 1. Vehement pursuit for the purpose of killing or capturing, as of an enemy, or game; an earnest seeking after any object greatly desired; the act or habit of hunting; a hunt. This mad …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cut to the chase — If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • cut to the chase — phrasal : to get to the point * * * cut to the chase To get to the point • • • Main Entry: ↑cut * * * cut to the chase phrase to start dealing with the most important aspect of something rather than things that are less relevant Thesaurus: to try …   Useful english dictionary

  • cut to the chase — in. to focus on what is important; to abandon the preliminaries and deal with the major points. □ All right, let’s stop the idle chatter and cut to the chase. □ After a few introductory omments, we cut to the chase and began negotiating …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • cut to the chase — verb To get to the point; to get on with it; to state something directly. We dont have much time here. Could you cut to the chase? Syn: cut to Hecuba, get on with it, get to the point Ant: beat around the bush …   Wiktionary

  • cut to the chase — tell the exciting part, get to the point    George, please, cut to the chase. We re tired of the story already …   English idioms

  • cut to the chase —    If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Cut to the chase —   If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • cut to the chase — informal to talk about or deal with the important parts of a subject and not waste time with things that are not important. I didn t have long to talk to him so I cut to the chase and asked whether he was still married …   New idioms dictionary

  • cut to the chase N. Amer. — cut to the chase N. Amer. informal come to the point. → cut …   English new terms dictionary

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