English
Verb
to cut and run
- nautical To sail away quickly by cutting the yarns that hold the sails furled
- context|by extension To hurry away; to escape
- military To abandon a position as quickly as possible.
#:They held on as long as they could, but when the heavy artillery fire started, they had to cut and run.
#:Mr. Bush laid out the scenario we face if the United States decides to cut and run.
Usage notes
Some dictionaries give as a definition "to cut the anchor cable and not wait to weigh it", but this seems to be erroneous
References
The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea - OUP - 1976
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