Meaning & use
to cut a rug
Last updated
UK/tə ˌkʌt ə ˈrʌɡ/
US/tə ˌkʌt ə ˈrʌɡ/
Meaning
phraseintransitiveold-fashionedinformal
To dance, especially in a lively or energetic way.
Grammar: Used without an object: They cut a rug all night. You cannot say 'cut a rug someone'.
Patterns
- cut a rug on the dance floor
- cut a rug with someone
At the wedding, the grandparents really cut a rug.
Everyone was cutting a rug when the band started playing.
He loves to cut a rug at parties.
Word forms
| third person singular | cuts a rug |
|---|---|
| past tense | cut a rug |
| past participle | cut a rug |
| -ing form | cutting a rug |
Common combinations
- cut a rug on the dance floor
- They cut a rug on the dance floor until midnight.
- really cut a rug
- She really cut a rug at the party last night.
- cut a rug with someone
- He cut a rug with his daughter at her wedding.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: to cut a rug or cut the rug?
to cut a rug vs cut the rug
The correct idiom is 'cut a rug', not 'cut the rug'. 'Cut the rug' is not a standard expression.
Practice
What does 'cut a rug' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Cut a rug' is an old-fashioned informal idiom meaning to dance, often with energy. It has nothing to do with actually cutting a carpet or taking a nap.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to cut a rug”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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