cut to the chase

idiomatic phrase

informal

: to go directly to the important part of a story, argument, or discussion : to get to the point

She urged him to skip the details and cut to the chase.

… you try to make small talk, ease into the interview, but Hair quickly cuts to the chase.

—John Lancaster

Note: This phrase is from filmmaking jargon, in which cutting to the chase is quickly transitioning to a scene that features a chase or is otherwise especially exciting or interesting.

Examples of cut to the chase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ray Dalio never misses an opportunity to cut to the chase. —Lee Clifford, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cut to the chase

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace