Definition

Noun: 1. A shorter or quicker way to get to a place: A path or route that reduces the distance or travel time compared to the usual or standard path. 2. A method or strategy that saves time or effort in achieving a goal: A technique or procedure that bypasses longer, more complex steps to accomplish something more efficiently.

Usage

The word "shortcut" is used to describe a more direct physical path or a more efficient abstract method. It often implies a clever or practical deviation from the standard procedure. - It is commonly used with verbs like take, find, use, create, and offer. - It can be followed by the preposition to (e.g., a shortcut to success) or through (e.g., a shortcut through the woods).

Examples

• Physical Route:
  • We took a shortcut through the park and arrived ten minutes early.
  • There's a hidden shortcut from the library to the main square.
• Abstract Method:
  • Learning these keyboard shortcuts will save you a lot of time.
  • He believes there is no shortcut to mastering a language; it requires consistent practice.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a shortcut to (something)": To serve as a quicker means of achieving a specific result, often with a connotation that it may lack depth.
  • This online course claims to be a shortcut to fluency, but I'm skeptical.
• "To take shortcuts": To use quicker methods, sometimes implying that one is avoiding necessary work or being careless.
  • If you take too many shortcuts during the construction, the quality will suffer.

Variants and Related Words

• Shortcut (Verb, computing): Less common. To create or use a shortcut icon on a computer desktop.
  • You can shortcut the program to your desktop for easy access.
• Shortcut key / Keyboard shortcut (Noun Phrase): A key or combination of keys that provides quick access to a function.
  • Press Ctrl+S as a keyboard shortcut to save your document.

Synonyms

• Abbreviation (for a method or process)
• Crosscut
• Cutoff
• Direct route
• Timesaver

Related Phrases

• Cut corners: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often by omitting parts, which can lead to poor results. (This often has a more negative connotation than "take a shortcut".)
  • The company cut corners on safety to save money.

Noun

1. a route shorter than the usual one