cut a caper

English

Verb

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

1. To frolic or romp; to dance about in a frantic or ridiculous manner.
   • c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:

     Sir Andrew: Faith, I can cut a caper.
     Sir Toby Belch: And I can cut the mutton to't.

   • 1847 December, Ellis Bell [pseudonym; Emily Brontë], Wuthering Heights: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Thomas Cautley Newby, […], →OCLC:

     I thought he intended to cut a caper round the bed; but suddenly composing himself, he fell on his knees.

Related terms

• caper-cutting, caper cutting
• cut capers