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All phrases › to cut a long story short

What does “to cut a long story short” mean?

Meaning, example sentences and a quick practice question.

B2

Used to summarize a story, skipping the details

“To cut a long story short, we made it in time.”

From the B2 lesson You'll Never Guess… (telling news).

C1

Used to summarize a story, skipping the details

“To cut a long story short, we made it just in time.”

From the C1 lesson You'll Never Guess… (telling news).

B2

Used to skip details and get to the end

“To cut a long story short, we missed the last bus.”

From the B2 lesson Stories from the Road (telling travel stories).

Quick check

What does “to cut a long story short” mean?

Teaching this phrase?“to cut a long story short” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings) and Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack

Or get all 32 lessons in the complete B2 course or the complete C1 course and save 25%.

Teaching this phrase?“to cut a long story short” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, grammar practice, travel phrases, speaking tasks and an answer key, in the B2 Travel English Bundle (6 lessons).
See the Travel English bundle
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