Our school is constructing a new building in the most economical way. “The school cannot cut corners when it comes to construction, as it might be too risky.” That was my dad talking.
Doing something by the easiest, fastest or cheapest method, at the expense of doing it properly, is cutting corners.
The phrase dates back to the 1800’s and was used in multiple ways. The expression was used to refer to the action of somebody taking a short cut through an untrodden path, or a carriage taking a sharp turn at a corner, both done to shorten the distance covered, in order to save time. A short cut on foot might prove dangerous and a sharp turn at a curve could cause the carriage to over turn. Both have an element of risk.
I think dad is right indeed. Cutting corners while constructing a building may not be the right thing to do!
