THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Make a long story short
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To skip details and tell something briefly.
Usage note: keep in mind
Use to make a long story short before giving a shortened account or result. British speakers also commonly say to cut a long story short. After this introduction, leave out unnecessary details and state what the listener needs to know.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- To make a long story short, we missed the flight and had to take a train.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
To ________, we missed the flight and had to take a train.
Show the answer
Make a long story short — To skip details and tell something briefly.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Make a long story short” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To skip details and tell something briefly.
Compare: To make a long story short, we missed the flight and had to take a train.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- To make a long story short, we took the wrong bus and arrived an hour late.
- There were several discussions, but to cut a long story short, the plan was approved.
Check your understanding
What should normally follow this phrase: every detail of a long argument, or its essential outcome?
Check your answer
The essential outcome. The phrase signals that you are summarising, so a long list of minor details would contradict that signal.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where make a long story short fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.