Idiom
Long story short
Long story short means "to sum up quickly," used before skipping to the main point of a story.
How people use it
This spoken phrase lets you skip the details and jump to the result: "Long story short, we missed the train." It usually comes at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma. The fuller form is "to make a long story short." It is informal and conversational. People sometimes say it with a laugh after they have already told most of a long story, which is part of its humor.
Also said: to make a long story short.
Examples
- Long story short, the car broke down and we spent the night in a small motel.
- To make a long story short, I got the job.
- Long story short, the cake fell on the floor, so we bought cupcakes.
Where it comes from
The fuller phrase "to make a long story short" has been used in English for several hundred years, as a way for a speaker or writer to promise brevity. The clipped form "long story short" became common in casual American speech in the late 1900s and has spread widely since.
Check yourself
1. Why would someone say long story short?
Answer: To skip the details and give the main point. The phrase signals a quick summary.
2. Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Answer: Long story short, the hotel lost our booking, so we stayed with friends.. The speaker skips the details and gives the outcome.
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