idiom · to cut corners by using inferior materials or reducing necessary labor to save costs, especially in construction or manufacturing

这家建筑公司因为偷工减料，盖出来的房子出现了严重的质量问题。

idiom · to perform a task in a perfunctory, careless, or dishonest manner; to do a job halfway

学习和工作都要脚踏实地，绝不能偷工减料，敷衍了事。