cut and dried

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Example

“The schedule is not cut and dried yet, so we can still move the workshop.”

Dictionary details

Component words

cut

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

cut and thrust Neutral · CEFR C1

the vigorous back-and-forth of intense argument or competition

cut loose Informal · CEFR B1

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

cut both ways Neutral · CEFR B2

to produce both helpful and harmful effects or implications

cut a dash Neutral · CEFR C1

to attract admiring attention with a stylish appearance or confident manner

cut your teeth on Informal · CEFR C1

to gain your first experience of something, usually early in your career

take it or leave it Neutral · CEFR B1

accept an offer exactly as presented or reject it entirely

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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