Long story short
/lΙΛΕ ΛstΙΛri ΚΙΛrt/informal, neutralUK Β· US Β· AU Β· IE Β· CA
What does βLong story shortβ mean?
Long story short means this expression is used to skip extra details and explain only the main point or final result.
This phrase tells the listener that you are skipping the background details. Instead of telling every small event, you jump straight to the most important fact or conclusion.
It feels casual and polite in daily talk. Speakers use it to save time and to keep the listener from getting bored.
When do people say it?
People say this when they realize their story is taking too long and want to get straight to the point.
βWe missed the train and lost our bags, but long story short, we made it to the wedding.β
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
The phrase comes from the longer expression 'to make a long story short,' which appeared in English books in the 1800s. Its exact first speaker is unknown, but it became very popular in everyday speech in the 1900s.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say βLong story shortβ in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11