shortcut

shortcut

1. A route that is faster or more direct than the customary or original one. A: "I don't think we're going to make it in time with all this traffic!" B: "Don't worry, I know a shortcut through some side streets."

2. That which reduces the time, resources, or effort needed to accomplish something. There aren't any shortcuts to increasing our sales—we just have to work harder to find customers.

a ˌshort ˈcut (to something)

1 a shorter way to go to a place: I usually take a short cut behind the post office to get to college.
2 a way of doing something more quickly or easily: Producing good cheese takes time — there are really no short cuts.

See also: cut, short