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
Was most of Pascal’s performance left on the cutting-room floor?
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Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 June 2025
In recent days, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has taken shears to the sweeping tax and spending legislation, leaving multiple provisions on the cutting-room floor as Republicans press for a final vote as soon as this week.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 25 June 2025
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.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 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
See All Example Sentences for on the cutting-room floor
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Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 June 2025
In recent days, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has taken shears to the sweeping tax and spending legislation, leaving multiple provisions on the cutting-room floor as Republicans press for a final vote as soon as this week.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 25 June 2025
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.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 June 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
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 4 Nov. 2025.
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