“Cut to the chase” means get to the point. The phrase came from early films, where audiences wanted fewer slow scenes and more action.

“Left in the lurch” first referred to a losing position in an old game. Over time, it came to mean being abandoned without help.

“In the doldrums” began as a sailing term for a calm equatorial zone. Over time, it came to mean feeling low, stuck, or inactive.

“Cut and run” means to leave quickly, often to avoid trouble. The phrase comes from sailing, when ships cut anchor cables to escape fast.