E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cut Capers (To).
To act in an unusual manner.
1
“The quietest fellows are forced to fight for their status quo, and sometimes to cut capers like the rest.”—Le Fanu: The House in the Churchyard, p. 143.
To cut capers (in dancing) is to spring upwards, and rapidly interlace one foot with the other.
2
Cut your capers! Be off with you!
3
I’ll make him cut his capers, i.e. rue his conduct.
