first cut

USAGE SUMMARY

"first cut" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the initial or introductory attempt at something, often to mean the first run through or version. For example, "John took a first cut at writing the book; he'll work on revisions later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I love cutting my first cut alone.

Los Angeles Times

First, cut TV time.

The New York Times

First, cut the spinning.

Independent

Well, here's a first cut.

The New York Times

I love the first cut.

The New York Times - Sports

First, cut the tab off the folder.

Princeton University

The first cut ran for three hours.

The New York Times

That's the first cut in more than a decade.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They present a first cut-based integer programming formulation.

Computers and Operations Research

Readers might disagree with our first-cut estimates.

Harvard Business Review

When you do a first-cut, they talk about it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first cut" to describe a version of a film or video, specify what has changed in subsequent versions for clarity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "first cut" as a polished, finished piece. Clearly indicate that it is still a work in progress to manage expectations and solicit constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first cut" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often serves as a direct object or subject complement, referring to an initial version or stage of something. Ludwig highlights numerous examples where it denotes a preliminary version of a film, document, or plan.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

23%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first cut" is a common noun phrase used to describe the initial version or stage of a project, often subject to further refinement. As Ludwig's analysis demonstrates, it appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. When using "first cut", it's important to clarify that the version is preliminary to avoid confusion and set appropriate expectations. While interchangeable with phrases like "initial version" or "early draft", "first cut" uniquely conveys the sense of reducing or separating something in its nascent form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial version

Focuses on the stage of development rather than the act of reducing or separating.

preliminary edition

Highlights the initial nature of the edition, often used in publishing.

early draft

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of the writing or plan.

rough version

Highlights the lack of refinement or polish in the initial attempt.

first draft

Specifically refers to the initial writing of a document.

initial attempt

General term for the first try at something.

trial run

Suggests an experiment or test before a final decision.

opening move

Implies the start of a strategy or negotiation.

starting point

Highlights the beginning of a process or project.

primary stage

Focuses on the earliness and importance of the stage of development.

FAQs

How can I use "first cut" in a sentence?

You can use "first cut" to describe an initial attempt or version of something, such as "This is the "first cut" of the proposal, and we'll refine it later", or "The director's "first cut" of the movie was three hours long".

What is a good alternative to "first cut"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "initial version", "preliminary edition", or "early draft".

Is "first cut" formal or informal?

"First cut" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It is commonly used in professional settings like film editing and project management, as well as in more casual conversations.

What does "the first cut is the deepest" mean?

The expression "the first cut is the deepest" is a metaphorical idiom, meaning that the initial heartbreak or emotional pain is the most profound and lasting. This is different from using ""first cut"" to describe an initial version of something.