Cut and Run

Meaning of Idiom ‘Cut and Run’

To cut and run means to depart suddenly or quickly to avoid an awkward or dangerous situation; to run away as quickly as possible. ¹,²

Examples Of Use

“When faced with the certainty of criminal charges, the wealthy businessman decided to cut and run rather than face the music.”

“Caught red-handed, he felt his only choice was to cut and run, leaving his co-conspirators holding the bag.”

“I don’t cut and run on my friends. When they have problems, I am always there for them.”

Origin

This idiom originates in a nautical phrase from the 1700s. In those days, the quikest way for a ship to leave an area was to not take the time to raise the anchor, but instead to cut the anchor line and sail away immediately, thus ‘cut and run.’ ³,⁴

More Idioms Starting with C

• Chatterbox
• Copycat
• Cotton To Someone or Something
• Cotton On To Something
• Cheap and Cheerful Meaning

More Cut Idioms

• Fish Or Cut Bait
• Cut the Mustard
• Cut From the Same Cloth
• Running Around Like a Chicken With its Head Cut Off
• Cut Out of Whole Cloth

More Run Idioms

• Run a Fever
• Running On Fumes
• Run a Bath
• Hit the Ground Running
• Run Low (to be running low)

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References

1. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
2. Bengelsdorf, Peter. Idioms in the News – 1,000 Phrases, Real Examples. N.p.: Amz Digital Services, 2012.
3. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
4. Bengelsdorf, Peter. Idioms in the News – 1,000 Phrases, Real Examples. N.p.: Amz Digital Services, 2012.