Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the meaning in context. Sentence: We were in a hurry. The road being zigzag, we had to “cut off a corner” to reach in time.

Introduction / Context:
The sentence describes travelers pressed for time on a winding (zigzag) road. The phrase “cut off a corner” is a variant phrasing of “cut corners” in the sense of taking a shorter path or shortcut to save time. In route-finding contexts, it commonly implies choosing a quicker way rather than following a longer, winding path.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The travelers are in a hurry.
• The road is zigzag (longer and winding).
• The idiomatic phrase is “cut off a corner.”

Concept / Approach:
When the context is movement and time pressure, “cut off a corner” corresponds to taking a short cut—literally cutting across, instead of following all bends. Note that “cut corners” can also mean “do something cheaply or carelessly” in quality contexts, but the driving/travel scenario signals the navigation sense of a shortened route.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase: “We had to take a short cut to reach on time.” This preserves the meaning, fits the context, and is widely idiomatic.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• To cut a portion of the road: Literal misreading; roads are not cut physically by travelers.
• To go fast: Speeding is not what the phrase conveys; it is about route choice.
• To take an alternative route: Could be longer; does not guarantee time-saving like a short cut.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “cut corners” quality sense with navigation sense. Here, the time-pressure and road description select the shortcut meaning.

Final Answer:
To take a short cut