So Rob, you're telling me you went out with Neil, lost your wallet and got home very very late? 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. I met Geeta last year and to cut a long story short, we getting married tomorrow! 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.

So I spoke to the boss and to cut a long story short, I'm getting a promotion! Really? Well we've got to keep this programme short so shall we move on and hear some examples of this phrase in action…. Hmm, that's a shame Rob because I'm sure you had lots more to tell me. Right, so 'to cut a long story short' means to tell only the main or important parts of a story – not all the details. 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. But why 'cut the long story short'? I want to hear the whole story. Well, I went out for dinner with Neil, then we went to a pub and then I lost my wallet and… to cut a long story short… I got home at two o'clock this morning. Rough? Well you would be, if you'd had the night I've just had. Rob, if you don't mind me saying, you look a bit… rough. We're here to teach you a real English phrase. Hello and welcome to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. He's not giving Feifei all the details to save time - but is there another reason why he's cutting his long story short? Learn a new English phrase and find out his reasons in this episode of The English We Speak. Rob's had a late night but we're not sure why.

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