Collocations for short cut - noun

be
take
use sth as
provide (often figurative)
Each saint was depicted with his or her symbols, which provided a short cut to recognition.

find, know

short cut across, short cut through
Take the short cut across the fields.

short cut to
There are no short cuts to economic recovery.

there are no short cuts (figurative)
There are no short cuts when it comes to fitness.