deep cut

noun

plural deep cuts

1

music : a song that is considerably less popular and well-known than other songs on the same album or by the same artist

From there, the band careened through highlights and the occasional deep cut from its catalog …

—Mikael Wood

But the rocker saw an opportunity to turn casual fans on to his deep cuts—so each disc intersperses hits with lesser-known album tracks in non-chronological order.

—David Browne

2

: something (such as an obscure reference to a book or movie) that is recognizable to devotees but not usually to others

One of the fun things about being a Marvel fan is the franchise's ability to constantly surprise its audience with comic book deep cuts, surprising castings, and twists that no one sees coming.

—Alexis Nedd

deep-cut adjective

a deep-cut reference/joke

Examples of deep cut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was found three miles away from where his car had run out of gas, with deep cuts on his forehead, several local news outlets reported. —Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024

At these dates, the band is playing at least 40 songs each, including deep cuts. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2024

The best way to get a sense of Swift’s headspace in the months after her cancellation is to listen to this Reputation deep cut, which overflows with aggression and paranoia. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 May 2024

The victim was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital where he was treated for a deep cut to the back of his head and released. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined at sense 1