cut a rug

• cut the rug

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cut a rug (third-person singular simple present cuts a rug, present participle cutting a rug, simple past and past participle cut a rug)

1. (idiomatic) To dance, especially in a vigorous manner and in one of the dance styles of the first half of the twentieth century.
   • 1991, Ron Alexander, "A Step Back to Supper Clubs and Swing," New York Times, 15 Dec. (retrieved 15 Sep. 2008),

     Young-generation patrons seem to be as fascinated watching the more mature dancers cut a rug.

   • 2009, Train, Hey, Soul Sister:

     The way you can cut a rug, watching you's the only drug I need.

   • 2017, Lana Del Rey, When The World Was At War We Kept Dancing:

     Cut a rug, lean into the fuckin' youth.

• bust a move
• cut the pigeon wing