Cut to the chase means to get to the main point without a long introduction. People say it in meetings, negotiations and business emails when time is short. The phrase sounds most polite when you say it about yourself: let's cut to the chase, I'll cut to the chase.
When would you say cut to the chase?
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let's cut to the chase; I'll cut to the chase: + main point
- We've only got ten minutes, so let's cut to the chase: can you start on Monday?
- I'll cut to the chase: we can't afford a new laptop this year.
- After a long introduction, the lecturer finally cut to the chase and explained the exam.
What changed
First versionI don't have much time, so let's cut the chase: how much does it cost?
RevisionI don't have much time, so let's cut to the chase: how much does it cost?
The word to is missing. Without it, the idiom falls apart and a native speaker will stumble over the sentence. The fixed form is cut to the chase, “go straight to the main part”. Only to was added.
The tone depends on who is getting to the point. Let's or I'll cut to the chase is a normal businesslike move to the main issue. But the command Cut to the chase! said to someone's face sounds sharp, almost like “stop rambling”: Just cut to the chase, I'm busy. The opposite is beat around the bush, to avoid saying something directly.
Your turn
We only have ten minutes, so I'll ___ and tell you the price straight away.
Show the answer
cut to the chase — The speaker is in a hurry and gives the price straight away, which is cut to the chase. Beat around the bush means to avoid getting to the point, the exact opposite.
Write the opening of a work message to a colleague who's short of time. State your main request and the deadline straight away.
I know you're busy, so I'll cut to the chase: could you send me the sales report by Thursday?
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