cut in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut in line" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is going ahead of another person or group of people who were already in line, usually without permission. For example: "The customer was unhappy when someone cut in line ahead of them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Heat had cut in line.

The New Yorker

"It's a great way to cut in line".

The New York Times

Or does he feel guilty that he cut in line ahead of her?

The New York Times

Then a woman with her hair dyed the color of brass tried to cut in line.

The New York Times

(They have the right to cut in line, to dominate the conversation, etc).

The New Yorker

Bolivia demanded emissions be cut in line with each country's historic responsibility for climate change.

The Guardian

But the Treasury grant would be cut in line with the income tax raised in Scotland.

The Guardian

The money-waving guy was trying to cut in line, showing contempt for everyone behind you.

The New York Times - Magazine

(" 'It's black history month BITCH!!!!!!' I yelled as I cut in line at Whole Foods").

The New Yorker

They want to find ways to cut in line and get ahead.

The New York Times

François likes to remind me that people from all cultures cut in line, including his own.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scenarios where fairness is violated in a queuing context, use "cut in line" to clearly convey the act of someone unfairly advancing ahead of others.

Common error

Avoid using "cut in line" in contexts that do not involve a queue or sequence, such as describing a financial reduction. Use "cut in line" exclusively for scenarios where someone is literally or figuratively jumping ahead of others who are waiting their turn.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut in line" functions as an idiomatic expression. It typically serves as a verb phrase to describe the act of someone unfairly moving ahead of others waiting in a queue. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut in line" is a widely recognized and grammatically correct idiom used to describe the act of unfairly moving ahead of others waiting in a queue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and applicable across various contexts, most frequently appearing in news and media. While the act itself is frowned upon, the expression is common in neutral registers. To enhance your writing, remember to use this phrase exclusively for scenarios involving literal or figurative queues, and consider alternatives like "jump the queue" or "skip the line" for variety. Avoiding misuse and understanding its connotative implications will ensure clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jump the queue

Replaces "cut" with "jump" and uses the British term "queue" instead of "line".

skip the line

Uses "skip" as a synonym for "cut", maintaining the core meaning.

jump ahead of

Focuses on the action of moving before others in a sequence.

push to the front

Emphasizes the forceful nature of moving ahead.

gain an unfair advantage

Highlights the unethical aspect of moving ahead in a queue.

bypass the waiting list

Suggests avoiding a formal list or queue.

get preferential treatment

Indicates receiving benefits not available to everyone.

bend the rules

Implies circumventing established procedures to move ahead.

take precedence

Highlights a situation where someone is given priority over others.

usurp one's turn

Focuses on taking someone else's rightful place in the sequence.

FAQs

What does it mean to "cut in line"?

To "cut in line" means to move ahead of others who are already waiting in a queue, often without permission or justification.

Is "cut in line" considered rude?

Yes, "cut in line" is generally considered rude and unethical because it violates the principle of fairness and respect for others who are waiting their turn.

What can I say instead of "cut in line"?

You can use alternatives like "jump the queue", "skip the line", or "push to the front" depending on the specific context.

How to use "cut in line" in a sentence?

You can use "cut in line" in a sentence like this: "The angry customer complained when someone tried to "cut in line" at the checkout counter."