diff --git a/core/prelude-editor.el b/core/prelude-editor.el
index c833c9c..025541e 100644
--- a/core/prelude-editor.el
+++ b/core/prelude-editor.el
@@ -189,6 +189,15 @@ The body of the advice is in BODY."
 (volatile-highlights-mode t)
 (diminish 'volatile-highlights-mode)
 
+;; note - this should be after volatile-highlights is required
+;; add the ability to cut the current line, without marking it
+(defadvice kill-region (before smart-cut activate compile)
+  "When called interactively with no active region, kill a single line instead."
+  (interactive
+   (if mark-active (list (region-beginning) (region-end))
+     (list (line-beginning-position)
+           (line-beginning-position 2)))))
+
 ;; tramp, for sudo access
 (require 'tramp)
 ;; keep in mind known issues with zsh - see emacs wiki