TV Show: The Walking Dead

Context: While looking for a lost girl, Rick's boy (Carl) got shot accidentally by a hunter. The hunter regrets this and helps them to get medical assistance. Rick and Shane are waiting for news while the doctor is performing surgery on Carl.

Rick: Why'd I let him come with us? I should've sent him with Lori.
Shane: You know, you start that, you never get that monkey off your back.
Rick: Little girl goes missing, you look for her. Simple. You said, "call it-- Head back."
Shane: Doesn't matter what I said.
Rick: Carl got shot because I wouldn't cut bait.

Question: What does "cut bait" mean?

Question

TV Show: The Walking Dead

Context: While looking for a lost girl, Rick's boy (Carl) got shot accidentally by a hunter. The hunter regrets this and helps them to get medical assistance. Rick and Shane are waiting for news while the doctor is performing surgery on Carl.

Rick: Why'd I let him come with us? I should've sent him with Lori. 
Shane: You know, you start that, you never get that monkey off your back. 
Rick: Little girl goes missing, you look for her. Simple. You said, "call it-- Head back." 
Shane: Doesn't matter what I said. 
Rick: Carl got shot because I wouldn't cut bait.

Question: What does "cut bait" mean?

Answer

It's an idiomatic expression which means to hurry up and make the decision to stop doing X in order to pursue Y.  For example, there are MANY situations in The Walking Dead in which characters are in the middle of trying to save someone.  However, danger is coming and they don't have enough time.  So, sometimes those characters have to just "cut bait" and let that person die and move on to the next goal/mission.

Think of it like hospital triage.  Don't spend an hour trying to save someone who is definitely going to die, cut bait and save others who have a chance.

Answer

That's an excellent answer from Alex. And Daniel, thank you for providing context. That really helps people provide a meaningful response.