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take shortcuts

[/teɪk ˈʃɔːtkəts/]
verb phrase
tomar atalhos / cortar caminhos / fazer atalhos
1. To use a shorter route or method to reach a destination or achieve a goal
He took a shortcut through the park to get to school faster.
Ele tomou um atalho pelo parque para chegar à escola mais rápido.
2. To do something in a faster but often less thorough or proper way, often compromising quality
The contractor took shortcuts on the project, which led to poor results.
O contratante cortou caminhos no projeto, o que resultou em resultados ruins.
3. To skip steps or ignore proper procedures
Don't take shortcuts in your studies; you need to learn the fundamentals.
Não faça atalhos nos seus estudos; você precisa aprender o básico.
NYC Slang
cut corners / take the easy way out
Synonyms
cut cornersskip stepsrushimprovisecompromise
Antonyms
do it properlyfollow procedurebe thoroughtake the long way

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tomar atalhos / cortar caminhos
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
fazer atalhos / pular etapas
Business/professional context
Rio de Janeiro
tomar atalho / cortar caminho
Informal, everyday speech
Portugal
tomar atalhos / cortar caminhos
Similar usage as Brazil, sometimes 'fazer batota' in informal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

cut corners
go the distance
do things by the book
take the scenic route
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