Cut and dried
adjective
Something that is clearly decided or understood and will not change.
The procedure is not as cut and dried as you might think.
Often appears as...
- not cut and dried
- quite cut and dried
Usage tips
Idiomatic
adjective
Something boring because it is always the same.
His lectures are so cut and dried that half the class falls asleep.
Often appears as...
- seems cut and dried
- too cut and dried
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Something that is clearly decided or understood and will not change.
The procedure is not as cut and dried as you might think.
Often appears as...
- not cut and dried
- quite cut and dried
Usage tips
Idiomatic
adjective
Something boring because it is always the same.
His lectures are so cut and dried that half the class falls asleep.
Often appears as...
- seems cut and dried
- too cut and dried
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Decision Finality
Use when referring to decisions or situations that are definitively settled and won't be altered.
The verdict is cut and dried; the judge won't reconsider.
Pro Tip 2/3Expectation Clarity
Indicates that what follows is without ambiguity or uncertainty, often contrary to expectations.
I thought the rules might vary, but they were pretty cut and dried.
Pro Tip 3/3Misleading Simplicity
Beware of underestimating complexity; something may appear cut and dried but have underlying nuances.
The issue seemed cut and dried, yet it sparked a heated debate.
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