- Meaning
- This idiom signals the intention to summarize a lengthy or detailed account concisely, focusing on the essential points to save time or maintain listener interest, as if trimming a long narrative to its core. It conveys a desire for brevity and clarity, often used in conversational, storytelling, or professional contexts to transition from a complex explanation to a succinct conclusion. The phrase carries a tone of efficiency, courtesy, or mild self-awareness, reflecting cultural valuing of clear communication and respect for others’ time in fast-paced or impatient settings. It resonates in scenarios where verbosity risks losing attention, capturing the need to balance detail with digestibility, and its literary imagery adds a layer of conversational warmth, acknowledging the listener’s desire for brevity. The idiom often serves as a polite pivot, streamlining discourse while maintaining engagement, making it a versatile tool for effective storytelling.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 18th-century Britain, rooted in oral storytelling traditions where long-winded tales were common, and listeners appreciated concise summaries, as noted in tavern anecdotes. Its earliest recorded use appears in a 1789 *Gentleman’s Magazine* article: ‘To cut a long story short.’ The idiom gained traction in the 19th century, reflecting a cultural shift toward efficiency, as seen in Washington Irving’s *The Sketch Book* (1819), which uses it to streamline tales. Its use grew in Victorian literature, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) employing it for narrative brevity. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through journalism and radio, where time constraints demanded tight scripting, as noted in *The Times* during the 1920s. Its spread to American and Commonwealth English came through British influence, and its vivid imagery, evoking a narrative trim, and its applicability to concise communication ensured its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from casual chats to formal reports.
- Variants
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- To cut a long story short
- Cut a long story short
- Make a long story short
- Long story short
- Examples
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- To cut a long story short, we missed the train but caught a bus.
- Cut a long story short, the deal fell through at the last minute.
- Make a long story short, she apologized, and we moved on.
- Long story short, the project was a success despite delays.
- To cut a long story short, they reconciled after a heated argument.
- Cut a long story short, I ended up buying the cheaper option.
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