Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Long Story Short

What does it mean?

Long story short means you're about to summarise a long explanation or story, skipping unnecessary details.

Is it positive or negative?

Neutral - it's a conversational tool to save time or make a story more concise.

When do you use it?

Use it when telling a story and you want to quickly jump to the main point or conclusion.

Examples

Example 1: We missed the train, argued with the taxi driver, and nearly gave up - but, long story short, we made it.

Example 2: There was a lot of drama at work, but long story short, I got promoted.

Question for you

Can you tell me about a funny experience - but keep it short! What's your 'long story short' version?

Are you looking for English speaking practice online?

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