Cut to the chase

Origin: The idiom "Cut to the chase" originates from early Hollywood film-making, where movies often included lengthy chase scenes. To "cut to the chase" meant to skip the buildup or less important parts of the plot and get straight to the exciting or crucial parts, like the chase scene itself. Metaphorically, the phrase came into broader use in the mid-20th century to mean getting to the main point or the heart of a matter without unnecessary delay or distraction. It emphasizes efficiency, directness, and focusing on what truly matters in a conversation, decision, or action.

Examples

• During the meeting, Sarah asked everyone to cut to the chase and focus on the budget issues.
• I'm running late, so let's cut to the chase and discuss the main points of the contract.
• Feeling impatient, John urged the speaker to cut to the chase and reveal the final decision.
• The director decided to cut to the chase by starting the movie with an action scene.
• If you don't mind, could you cut to the chase and tell me what the problem is?
• Rather than going through all the details, the CEO cut to the chase and announced the merger.
• To save time, the teacher cut to the chase and directly explained the key concepts.
• After listening to the long introduction, she asked him to cut to the chase and explain the results.
• Let's cut to the chase: Are you going to accept the job offer or not?
• In his speech, the politician cut to the chase and addressed the critical issues facing the community.