cutting a rug
Moving to music
Cutting a rug means dancing, especially with enthusiasm or energy.
The expression is old-fashioned and often used playfully or nostalgically: My grandparents were really cutting a rug at the wedding.
It evokes lively social dancing rather than formal or professional performance.
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- jitterbugEnergetic swing-era partner dance
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- Roaring TwentiesProsperous 1920s era
boogie down · nightclub · lindy hop · Harlem Renaissance · bust a move · swing music · big band era · boogie woogie · waltz · wedding reception · hoofer · disco · moonwalk · shake a leg · sock hop · rock and roll · swing · dance-off
cutting a rugstanding still
Absence of motion
sitting down · staying put · holding still · rooted to the spot · frozen
cutting a rugwallflowering
Staying unnoticed at gatherings
warming the bench · abstaining · keeping to oneself · hanging back · holding back