To cut a long story short: The English We Speak

Rob: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak

from BBC Learning English. I'm Rob...

Feifei: And hello, I'm Feifei.

We're here to teach you a real English phrase.

Rob, if you don't mind me saying, you look a bit... rough.

Rob: Rough? Well you would be, if you'd had

the night I've just had.

Feifei: Oh yes? What happened?

Rob: Well, I went out for dinner with Neil,

then we went to the pub and then I lost my wallet

and... to cut a long story short...

I got home at two o'clock this morning.

Feifei: Oh dear. But why 'cut the long story short'?

I want to hear the whole story.

Rob: No, you don't - it would take too long

and we haven't got time - and anyway,

it's not that interesting -

that's why I'm just telling you the most important

parts of the story.

Feifei: Right, so 'to cut a long story short'

means to tell only the main or important parts

of a story - not all the details.

Hmm, that's a shame Rob because I'm sure you had lots

more to tell me.

Rob: Really? Well we've got to keep this programme

short so shall we move on and hear some examples

of this phrase in action...

Examples: So I spoke to the boss and to cut a long story

short, I'm getting a promotion!

There was a technical problem with our plane

which they couldn't fix so to cut a long story

short, we had to wait for another flight

and we arrived a day late.

I met Geeta last year and to cut a long story short,

we getting married tomorrow!

Feifei: So 'to cut - or make - a long story

short' means to tell only the important parts

about something that has happened

and leaving out all the details.

So Rob, you're telling me

you went out with Neil, lost your wallet

and got home very very late?

Rob: Yes, that's about it. Not very exciting, is it?

But the details are boring - that's why my long story

is short. Why do keep asking?

Feifei: Well actually Rob, it sounds like

you're telling a tall story a tall story -

a story or fact that is difficult to believe.

Rob: Oh really, why do you say that?

Feifei: Well I spoke to Neil this morning

and he said you didn't go for dinner last night.

You went straight to the pub,

then another and another pub.

And you left your wallet there so you had no money

to get home and had to walk.

Rob: Ah well... that's the long story.

Did you really want all the details?

Feifei: Oh yes. Never cut a long story short

if it's a good one!

Rob: If you say so Feifei. Bye.

Feifei: Bye.