In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: “Cut to the chase”.

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your understanding of the idiom “cut to the chase”, which is commonly used in spoken and informal written English. The phrase is often used when someone is talking too much about background details and the listener wants them to focus on the main issue. It is important to grasp the figurative meaning rather than interpreting the words literally.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: “cut to the chase”.
• Options:
  • Come to the point.
  • To run after somebody.
  • To cut out the important bits of information.
  • To take a short cut.
• We know that chase here does not literally mean a physical chase but refers to the main action or important part of a story.

Concept / Approach:
“Cut to the chase” means to stop wasting time on preliminaries and get directly to the main point or most important part of what you want to say. It originates from early films, where boring dialogue would be “cut” so that the scene could move straight to an exciting chase. The correct option therefore is “Come to the point.” The other options either take chase too literally or misunderstand what is being cut.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recall typical usage: “We do not have much time, so let me cut to the chase.”Interpretation: the speaker is about to skip introductory talk and get directly to the main issue.Match this understanding with the options: “Come to the point.” expresses exactly this idea.Consider other options: running after somebody, cutting out important bits, taking a short cut – none of these match the conversational meaning.Therefore, “Come to the point.” is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try replacing the idiom in a sample sentence: “Instead of talking about every small detail, can you cut to the chase?” If we substitute “come to the point”, the sentence becomes “Instead of talking about every small detail, can you come to the point?” which keeps the meaning intact. Substituting the other options produces nonsense: “Can you run after somebody?” or “Can you cut out the important bits?” clearly do not reflect the intended message.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“To run after somebody” interprets chase literally, but the idiom is figurative here. “To cut out the important bits of information” is the opposite of what one actually does; when cutting to the chase, we remove unimportant details and keep the core point. “To take a short cut” is closer in spirit (saving time) but still not precise, because the idiom specifically refers to communication and focusing on the main point rather than choosing a shorter physical route.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the word chase usually implies a physical pursuit, some learners mistakenly connect the idiom with running or following someone. To avoid such confusion, remember that many idioms are strongly associated with specific contexts. “Cut to the chase” almost always appears in conversations about explanations, stories or presentations, where someone wants to skip unnecessary detail. Linking it mentally with “come to the point” will help you answer similar idiom questions correctly and quickly.

Final Answer:
The idiom “Cut to the chase” means come to the point.