CUT CORNERS

v. phr. 1. To take a short way; not go to each corner. He cut corners going home in a hurry. 2. To save cost or effort; manage in a thrifty way; be saving. John's father asked him to cut corners all he could in college. 3. To do less than a very good job; do only what you must do on a job. He had cut corners in building his house, and it didn't stand up well.