make a long story short
To tell something briefly
直訳: To make a long story become a short one
Use this phrase to skip unnecessary details and deliver the most important part of your story quickly.
15秒でわかる
- Skip the boring details and get to the main point.
- Use it to transition to the end of a long explanation.
- Common in both casual chats and professional updates.
意味
You use this when you want to skip the boring details and get straight to the main point of a story.
主な例文
3 / 6Explaining a travel delay
The train broke down and I lost my luggage, but to make a long story short, I finally arrived.
The train broke down and I lost my luggage, but to tell it briefly, I finally arrived.
Updating a boss on a project
We had some technical issues, but long story short, the website is live now.
We had some technical issues, but the short version is the website is live now.
Texting a friend about a date
He spilled wine on me and forgot his wallet. Long story short, there won't be a second date!
He spilled wine on me and forgot his wallet. Basically, there won't be a second date!
文化的背景
The phrase has been used in literature since the 1800s, appearing in works by authors like Henry David Thoreau. It reflects a Western cultural value of getting to the point quickly in business and social interactions. Interestingly, it is often used as a 'filler' phrase even when the speaker has no intention of being brief.
The 'Short' Version
You can just say `Long story short...` without the `To make a...` part. It sounds more natural in casual conversation.
The Irony Warning
Native speakers often say this right before telling a very long story anyway! It's a bit of a running joke in English-speaking cultures.
15秒でわかる
- Skip the boring details and get to the main point.
- Use it to transition to the end of a long explanation.
- Common in both casual chats and professional updates.
What It Means
Imagine you are telling a story about your crazy weekend. You start talking about the bus schedule and the weather. Suddenly, you realize your friend looks bored. You say make a long story short to skip to the end. It means you are omitting the small details to save time. It is like a fast-forward button for your conversation.
How To Use It
You usually drop this phrase right before the conclusion of your story. You can say To make a long story short... or just Long story short.... It acts as a bridge between the setup and the result. Use it when you notice you have been talking for too long. It shows you value the other person's time.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for coffee dates or catching up with family. Use it at work when a boss asks for an update. It works well in texts when you don't want to type a novel. If you missed a flight and ended up in a different city, use it. It helps you focus on the 'what' instead of the 'how'.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if the details are actually important. If you are a witness in court, the judge wants the long story! Avoid it during a romantic first date if the story is charming. Also, don't use it if you haven't actually started the story yet. It sounds a bit strange to start a conversation with it.
Cultural Background
English speakers love efficiency but also love to talk. This phrase is a polite way to admit you are rambling. It became very popular in the 1800s. Some people use it ironically. They might say to make a long story short and then keep talking for ten minutes! Don't be that person.
Common Variations
You might hear people say To cut a long story short. This is very common in British English. Some people just say The short version is.... In modern slang, you might see TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) used in emails. All of these aim for the same goal: brevity.
使い方のコツ
This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. While it's slightly informal, it's perfectly acceptable in most office environments to keep meetings moving quickly.
The 'Short' Version
You can just say `Long story short...` without the `To make a...` part. It sounds more natural in casual conversation.
The Irony Warning
Native speakers often say this right before telling a very long story anyway! It's a bit of a running joke in English-speaking cultures.
Don't use it too early
If you say this after only one sentence, it sounds like you are hiding something. Save it for after you've shared at least a little bit of context.
例文
6The train broke down and I lost my luggage, but to make a long story short, I finally arrived.
The train broke down and I lost my luggage, but to tell it briefly, I finally arrived.
Used to skip the stressful details of a trip.
We had some technical issues, but long story short, the website is live now.
We had some technical issues, but the short version is the website is live now.
Professional way to focus on results rather than problems.
He spilled wine on me and forgot his wallet. Long story short, there won't be a second date!
He spilled wine on me and forgot his wallet. Basically, there won't be a second date!
Perfect for summarizing a disastrous event in a text.
I went in for a haircut and, to make a long story short, I'm wearing a hat for a month.
I went for a haircut and, to be brief, I have to wear a hat now.
Uses the phrase to create a funny 'reveal' at the end.
It was a difficult recovery process, but to make a long story short, I'm feeling much better.
It was a difficult recovery, but briefly, I am feeling better.
Summarizes a long emotional period without getting too heavy.
I moved three times and changed jobs, but long story short, I'm back in London.
I moved and changed jobs, but the main point is I'm back in London.
Summarizes years of life events in one sentence.
自分をテスト
Choose the best version of the phrase to complete the sentence.
We missed the bus and walked in the rain, but ___, we made it to the party.
The standard idiom is `long story short` or `to make a long story short`.
Where does this phrase usually go in a story?
___, I decided to quit my job and travel the world.
It is usually placed at the beginning of the concluding sentence.
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Long Story Short'
Used with friends and family constantly.
Long story short, we stayed out all night.
Great for workplace updates and emails.
To make a long story short, the client is happy.
Might be too casual for a very formal speech.
In summary, the project was a success.
When to Shorten the Story
At a party
Summarizing how you met your partner.
In a meeting
Explaining why a deadline was missed.
Over text
Giving a quick update on your day.
At the doctor
Explaining how you hurt your arm.
よくある質問
10 問Both are correct! Make is more common in American English, while cut is very popular in British English.
It is better to avoid it in academic writing. Use words like In conclusion or To summarize instead.
Not at all! It is actually polite because it shows you don't want to bore the listener with too many details.
No, you can use it for any explanation, like explaining a technical problem or a series of events.
TL;DR stands for 'Too Long; Didn't Read.' It is the internet version of long story short used for long articles or emails.
Only if you are joking! People say this when they know they are talking too much and giving too many details.
Yes, it is very common in business meetings to save time. For example: Long story short, we need more budget.
Yes, when writing, you should put a comma after the phrase. Example: Long story short, I won.
Absolutely. It is a high-frequency idiom that will make you sound much more like a native speaker.
There isn't one exact idiom, but you might say To go into detail... if you want to tell the full story.
関連フレーズ
In a nutshell
To summarize something in a very small number of words.
To get to the point
To stop talking about unimportant things and say the most important part.
The bottom line is
The most important fact or result of a situation.
To cut to the chase
To skip the introduction and get to the exciting or important part.
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