cut-and-dried
Adjective: 1. According to ordinary expectations; routine or predictable: Describes a situation, plan, or outcome that is settled, straightforward, and lacks any element of surprise, complexity, or originality. It implies that something is clear and decided in advance, leaving no room for doubt or further discussion.
The adjective "cut-and-dried" is used to describe things that are unoriginal, pre-arranged, or lacking in spontaneity. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something is boringly predictable or overly simplistic. - It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a cut-and-dried plan). - It can follow a linking verb like "be," "seem," or "appear" (e.g., The outcome was cut-and-dried).
- The investigation seemed cut-and-dried at first, but new evidence complicated everything.
- We were hoping for a creative solution, but the proposal was rather cut-and-dried.
- The meeting's agenda was cut-and-dried, with no time allocated for open discussion.
- "A cut-and-dried affair": A common phrase used to describe an event or situation that is completely predictable and settled.
- The election result was a cut-and-dried affair; the incumbent was certain to win.
- Cut-and-dry: An occasional, less common variant with the same meaning.
- Foregone conclusion (noun phrase): A result that is easily predicted with certainty.
- Routine (adjective): Regular, habitual, and not unusual.
- Predictable
- Straightforward
- Settled
- Prearranged
- Ordinary
- Conventional
- Unpredictable
- Uncertain
- Original
- Spontaneous
- Complex
- Ambiguous
While "cut-and-dried" itself functions as an idiomatic adjective, it is not typically part of a larger phrasal verb. The phrase "a cut-and-dried case" is a common idiom, especially in legal or formal contexts, meaning a matter that is clear and indisputable. - The lawyer thought it was a cut-and-dried case of breach of contract.
- according to ordinary expectations