cut and paste
cut and paste
1. verb In computing, to remove something so that it can be placed elsewhere (such as text in a word processing document). I think you should cut and paste this section because it would fit better with the introduction of your paper.
2. noun An unimportant or trivial activity. We usually just assign the interns cut and paste around the office to keep them busy.
See also: and, cut, paste
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
cut and paste
1. Lit. to cut something out of paper with scissors and paste it onto something else. The teacher told the little children that it was time to cut and paste, and they all ran to the worktables. Mary made a tiny house by cutting and pasting little strips of paper.
2. Fig. something trivial, simple, or childish. I hate this job. It's nothing but cut and paste. I don't mind doing things that have to be done, but I hate to waste my time on cut and paste.
See also: and, cut, paste
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
cut and paste
Describing a patched-up job or trivial work. For example, The revision was easy, just cut and paste, or The new assistant had expected some training, but all she got was cut and paste. This term alludes to simple artwork done by small children-cutting out pictures and gluing them to paper. [Mid-1900s]
See also: and, cut, paste
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- cut
- cut up
- cuts
- cutting
- fix on
- fix on (someone or something)
- cook out
- cross over
- going to
- fallout