shortcut
shortcut — noun
- shortcutsingular
- shortcutsplural
1. a shorter path that connects two points more quickly than the usual road or rout
a shorter path that connects two points more quickly than the usual road or route
Apinya knew a shortcut through the old market that saved her twenty minutes.
shortcut + through [place]
Instead of walking around the lake, Quinn took a shortcut straight across the wooden bridge.
take + shortcut + across
The hiking map shows a shortcut to the waterfall, but the path is rocky and steep.
"Is there a shortcut to the train station?" the lost tourist asked the shopkeeper.
- direct route
focuses on directness rather than speed
- bypass
a road that goes around a busy area, not necessarily shorter
- detour
a longer way around, not shorter
文法句型
take + shortcut
shortcut + through/across/to
常見錯誤
2. a method or technique that helps you finish something faster than the normal app
a method or technique that helps you finish something faster than the normal approach, typically by skipping less important parts
Christopher looked for shortcuts to finish the report before the five o'clock deadline.
look for + shortcuts
There is no shortcut to becoming a fluent speaker — you have to practise every single day.
no shortcut to + gerund/noun
Grandma always said there were no shortcuts in baking a good cake from scratch.
The new app promises a shortcut to organising your entire photo collection in minutes.
Eli took a shortcut when building the model by gluing the pieces instead of tying them.
- quick fix
temporary solution rather than a genuinely faster method — often informal and disapproving
- time-saver
neutral, focuses on efficiency without implying lower quality
- easy way out
choosing the simplest option to avoid effort, often with a negative tone
- long way
the thorough or traditional method that takes more time
文法句型
shortcut + to + noun
no shortcut to [achievement]
用法筆記
Often used in negative constructions ("no shortcut", "there are no shortcuts") to emphasise that genuine progress requires sustained effort.
常見錯誤
3. an icon on a computer screen or a combination of keys that lets you open a progr
an icon on a computer screen or a combination of keys that lets you open a program, file, or website with one action instead of several
Feng dragged the spreadsheet icon onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
create a shortcut (icon)
Ctrl and Z is a handy keyboard shortcut for undoing your last action.
keyboard shortcut + for + gerund
Anya added a bus timetable shortcut to her phone for checking it each morning.
Kevin memorised the keyboard shortcuts for copy, paste, and save to speed up his work.
- key combination
describes the actual keystrokes rather than the concept of a shortcut
- alias
a technical term for a file reference on Mac systems, similar to a shortcut
文法句型
keyboard shortcut
desktop shortcut
shortcut + key
create a shortcut
用法筆記
When referring to keyboard shortcuts, the phrase is nearly always followed by 'for' or 'to' (e.g. 'a shortcut for copying text'). Desktop shortcuts are the clickable icons — these are different from file aliases or symlinks in technical usage.
shortcut — verb
- shortcutpresent simple I / you / we / they
- shortcuts3rd person singular
- shortcutting-ing form
- shortcuttedpast simple
1. to make a journey, process, or procedure shorter or faster by choosing a more di
to make a journey, process, or procedure shorter or faster by choosing a more direct way, sometimes skipping steps
The delivery driver shortcutted his usual route by cutting through the housing estate.
shortcut + direct object (route)
Camila shortcutted the application process by submitting all her documents online.
shortcut + process/application
The chef shortcutted the pasta recipe by using dried noodles instead of fresh dough.
Zuri shortcutted the filing system by labelling each folder by year instead of by month.
The construction team shortcutted the inspection by only checking the main support beams.
- abridge
more formal, used mainly for written texts
- streamline
focuses on making a process more efficient, not necessarily shorter
- extend
to make longer in distance or time
文法句型
shortcut + noun phrase (route/process)
用法筆記
This transitive use is less common in everyday speech than the intransitive verb sense. It is mainly found in informal spoken contexts.
2. to travel or proceed by a quicker, more direct way, especially one that is not t
to travel or proceed by a quicker, more direct way, especially one that is not the normal route
Aarav shortcutted through the garden to catch the bus before it pulled away.
shortcut + through [place]
The hikers shortcutted across the frozen river to reach the cabin before dark.
shortcut + across [place]
Roya shortcutted past the ticket queue by showing her staff pass at the side gate.
Elena shortcutted along the beach instead of taking the road into town.
The joggers shortcutted through the park every morning to reach the riverbank sooner.
- cut across
more common in everyday speech, especially for physical routes
文法句型
shortcut + through/across + place
shortcut + past + obstacle
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a preposition such as 'through' or 'across' to describe the path taken. The past form is usually 'shortcutted' though 'shortcut' as invariant past is also heard.