Cutting it close
Meaning
To complete a task or arrive at a destination with very little time, space, or margin to spare.
Origin
The phrase "cutting it close" draws its vivid imagery from professions where precision and minimal margins are paramount. Consider a skilled carpenter sawing a piece of wood, aiming for a perfectly snug fit; they would literally "cut it close" to the desired measurement, leaving no room for error. Or perhaps a tailor, carefully trimming fabric to maximize usage, making their cuts as near as possible to the pattern's edge. This meticulous, high-stakes action, where any misstep could ruin the work, transitioned into our language to describe any situation where time, resources, or space are reduced to the bare minimum, forcing a precarious dance on the edge of failure.
Examples
- She was cutting it close when she submitted her final essay just five minutes before the deadline.
- We were cutting it close, but we managed to catch the train right as the doors were closing.