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Glite Dictionary
to cut a figure

to cut a figure

7.6
To stand out and make people notice you
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : dar una buena impresión
  • The actor always knows how to cut a figure on the red carpet with his stylish outfits.

Examples

  • Whereas Foucault's dandy wishes to cut a figure on a stage—be that stage a book, a podium, or a public demonstration—

    Academic text (1998)

  • The more one has occasion to present oneself in public, the more opportunities one will have to cut a figure of artful wholeness.

    Academic text (1998)

  • At the gala, she truly cut a figure, dazzling everyone with her elegant gown.

  • Despite his nervousness, he managed to cut a figure of confidence during the presentation.

Synonyms

to cut a dash
vsto cut a figure
  • Informal
7.2

To attract attention by looking smart and stylish

is broader and also includes memorable behavior as well as appearance

How Striking

to turn heads
  • Informal
7 4.4
to cut a figure
  • Informal
7.6
to stand out
244 3.2
to blend in
20 3.7

Surface Forms

cut a figure infinitive
cut a figure past
cut a figure past participle
cutting a figure present participle
cuts a figure third person singular

Morphology

cut + a + figure

There is a loose associative link: 'cut' (as a tailoring/style of garment) plus 'figure' (appearance/shape) can suggest something about appearance, but the specific idiomatic sense 'to create a striking or memorable impression' is not directly predictable from the literal parts. Because the phrase requires a figurative/idiomatic leap and is somewhat archaic, a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would likely need prior exposure, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

Cut a figure comes from the old work of making clothes: a tailor would cut the cloth to give a coat a particular figure or shape that made a person look noticeable. That's why today cut a figure means 'to stand out' or make a strong impression with how you look or act.