langer Rede kurzer Sinn

to cut a long story short, the long and the short of it

adverb LANG-er RAY-de KOOR-tser ZIN Rare

Usage Note

Langer Rede kurzer Sinn is a fixed idiomatic phrase used to summarise after a lengthy explanation. Word order is invariable. It is informal to neutral in register and very common in everyday German.

Examples

"Langer Rede kurzer Sinn: er kommt nicht."

Natural Translation

To cut a long story short: he is not coming.

Literal Translation

Long speech short meaning: he comes not.

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