cut and run
idiom
: to leave quickly in order to avoid danger or trouble
You can't just cut and run when your friends are in trouble.
Examples of cut and run in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There can be a tendency for brands, facing bad publicity, to cut and run from badly behaving suppliers, which can leave everyone involved worse off.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
According to this view, the Middle East and South Asia have sapped U.S. power and prestige and the pivot is really an attempt to cut and run by turning to the more peaceful and profitable shores of the Asia-Pacific.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2014
Any such analysis would shine far too bright a light on just how disastrous the decision to cut and run and abandon the government in Kabul was.
—Sam Faddis, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024
The entire family is shaken after the confrontation; while the kids are sullen and jumpy after the fight, Georgia has decided to cut and run, even cancelling her wedding venue without telling Paul.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Jan. 2023
Some opted to cut and run for Saudi money, others to stay and fight — as much against the structure and complacency of their own Tour as against LIV.
—Eamon Lynch, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022
Twitter does not appear willing to let Musk cut and run.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 8 July 2022
What’s more, in each of these wars, the U.S. could never care as much as the neighboring power, for whom there was never an option to cut and run.
—Tom McTague, The Atlantic, 4 July 2022
And why are complications considered malpractice until appropriate discovery tells the plaintiff lawyer to cut and run?
—Shakeel Ahmed, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
According to this view, the Middle East and South Asia have sapped U.S. power and prestige and the pivot is really an attempt to cut and run by turning to the more peaceful and profitable shores of the Asia-Pacific.
—Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2014
Any such analysis would shine far too bright a light on just how disastrous the decision to cut and run and abandon the government in Kabul was.
—Sam Faddis, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024
The entire family is shaken after the confrontation; while the kids are sullen and jumpy after the fight, Georgia has decided to cut and run, even cancelling her wedding venue without telling Paul.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Jan. 2023
Some opted to cut and run for Saudi money, others to stay and fight — as much against the structure and complacency of their own Tour as against LIV.
—Eamon Lynch, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022
Twitter does not appear willing to let Musk cut and run.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 8 July 2022
What’s more, in each of these wars, the U.S. could never care as much as the neighboring power, for whom there was never an option to cut and run.
—Tom McTague, The Atlantic, 4 July 2022
And why are complications considered malpractice until appropriate discovery tells the plaintiff lawyer to cut and run?
—Shakeel Ahmed, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Cut and run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20and%20run. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share