cut across
Meaning(s)
1. traverse an area to make a shorter route, go beyond the limits of something, interrupt someone
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
cut across a field/social barriers/someone while talking
Analysis
Cut across is a phrasal verb with a number of meanings. To cut across a place means to go straight from one side to another directly. If a problem cuts across a person or group of people if it affects everyone or they are all interested in it. To cut across someone can mean to interrupt them by speaking over them.
Social Examples (Basic)
- If you go by road, it will take you about 20 minutes to walk to the shop, but if you cut across the field instead, you can make it there in 10.
- I'm sorry to cut across you but I don't agree with what you're saying.
Social Examples (Advance)
- The issue of global warming cuts across every stratum of society, which is why campaigners say that we should all come together to combat it.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- While Chris was explaining his decision to withdraw the product from the market due to safety concerns, I interrupted to say that the evidence for that was inconclusive at best. I apologised for cutting across him, but I felt it was a point that needed to be made.
- The impact of this decision cuts across every department in the company everyone will feel the effect.