To cut it fine

Listening exercises with “To cut it fine”

If you are cutting it fine, then you are allowing yourself very little time to do whatever you need to do, and there is a real possibility that you will run out of time.

This idiom can be used when discussing plans that have very strict time constraints or very tight deadlines. e.g. We’re cutting it a bit fine, but I think we’ll have everything ready for the start of the inspection.

This is also a useful idiom to use when you are concerned that someone has not given themselves enough time to do something, or that they are not taking the time shortage seriously. In this situation, this idiom can be used with a question tag to indicate concern: You’re cutting it a bit fine, aren’t you?

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Accent: England (RP)

80%
1x

Keyboard Shortcuts

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. .
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I think we further . We’re as it .
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I don’t think we afford any further . We’re cutting it as it is.
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About the sentence

Accent: Scotland

80%
1x

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, .
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We’re fine, but ready campaign Friday.
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Keyboard Shortcuts

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We’re it a bit fine, but should be ready the campaign on Friday.
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About the sentence

Accent: Ireland

80%
1x

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. ?
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Your 5 minutes. You’re bit you?
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Your presentation in 5 minutes. You’re it a bit aren’t you?
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