WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cut across
    v 1: travel across or pass over; "The caravan covered almost 100
         miles each day" [syn: traverse, track, cover,
         cross, pass over, get over, get across, cut
         through, cut across]
    2: be contrary to ordinary procedure or limitations; "Opinions
       on bombing the Serbs cut across party lines"
    3: cut using a diagonal line [syn: crosscut, cut across]