Meaning & Origin
“Cut to the chase” means to drop the small talk or background and go directly to the key point. The phrase comes from early film scripts where lengthy dialogue “cut” to the fast‑paced chase scene — the part audiences wanted most.
Pronunciation Guide
- cut — short “u,” like “cup.”
- to the — often reduced to “tuh thuh.”
- chase — long “a,” rhymes with “face.”
- Natural rhythm: CUT to the CHASE.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when you want the main point without extra explanation.
- I’ll cut to the chase — the concert is sold out.
- Can you cut to the chase and tell us the decision?
- After a long intro, she cut to the chase and showed the plan.
- Let’s cut to the chase: what’s the total cost?
- If you’re short on time, cut to the chase with the summary.
- He finally cut to the chase and apologized.
Synonyms
get to the point · bottom line it · be direct · skip the preamble · get down to brass tacks · speak plainly