on the cutting-room floor
idiom
: removed from a movie or television show
The scene ended up on the cutting-room floor.
—often used figurativelyA lot of good ideas are rejected and end up on the cutting-room floor.
Examples of on the cutting-room floor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That often means that not only are beautiful, grandiose ideas left on the cutting-room floor, but even coffeemakers can get nixed for not passing certification.
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Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 2025
One of the tenderest moments between the brothers is a scene Bernthal predicted would find a home on the cutting-room floor.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
One left on the cutting-room floor would require hospitals to seek Kendra’s Law orders for all psychiatric patients who meet the standard for them.
—Benjamin Oreskes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
But Republicans devoted to lowering taxes have pressed for one mammoth bill to ensure that tax cuts are not left on the cutting-room floor.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the cutting-room floor
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Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 2025
One of the tenderest moments between the brothers is a scene Bernthal predicted would find a home on the cutting-room floor.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
One left on the cutting-room floor would require hospitals to seek Kendra’s Law orders for all psychiatric patients who meet the standard for them.
—Benjamin Oreskes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
But Republicans devoted to lowering taxes have pressed for one mammoth bill to ensure that tax cuts are not left on the cutting-room floor.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the cutting-room floor
Cite this Entry
“On the cutting-room floor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20cutting-room%20floor. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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