Cut it Close — Meaning, Usage & Examples

What it means...

To barely manage to do something in time or within a limit, with very little margin to spare.

When you cut it close, you come very near to missing a deadline, catching a flight, or exceeding a boundary.

It is used when something is accomplished just in time, but it was a near miss.

Use it when…

When someone arrives at the airport with minutes to spare before boarding closes
When a project is submitted right at the deadline with no buffer left
When a budget or resource is used up almost entirely, leaving almost no margin

Don’t confuse with...

"By the Skin of One's Teeth"

—

Barely succeeding or escaping with the absolute minimum margin possible

"Down to the Wire"

—

Reaching a conclusion or decision only at the very last possible moment

"Cut it Close"

—

Completing or achieving something with barely any margin or time to spare

Where you’ll hear it

You’ll hear the "Cut it Close" idiom in real life — at work, in relationships, or in the media.

Work & Business

Office Conversations

A colleague admits she cut it close with the report — it was submitted with two minutes left on the clock.

Relationships & Social Life

Daily Situations

A friend says he cut it close at the airport — he was the last person to board.

Media & Everyday Life

Sports

The runner cut it close at the finish line, winning by just a fraction of a second.

‹›

Use it like this

Here’s how to use "Cut it Close" idiom naturally in real conversations, with real examples.

Work & Business

Talking to Colleague

Colleague

Did you manage to get the slides in before the meeting started?

You

Just — I really cut it close this time. I need to build in more buffer next time.

Relationships

Casual Chats

Friend

Did you catch your train?

You

Yes, but I cut it really close — the doors were already beeping when I jumped on.

Everyday Conversations

Storytelling

Friend

Did you hit your savings goal by the end of the year?

You

Just about — cut it pretty close, but I got there.

‹›

Last updated:

April 20, 2026

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