To get to the point: A well-worn task in cutting through the verbal jungle to offer a reprieve from long-winded tales.
Definitions & Synonyms
- Definition: To speak concisely and directly to the main issue or point.
- Synonyms: “Be concise,”, “Hit the nail on the head,” “Cut to the chase,” “Make it snappy,” “Wrap it up,” “In a nutshell.”
Language Cousins
- Spanish: “Ir al grano.”
- French: “Aller droit au but.”
- German: “Auf den Punkt kommen.”
- Italian: “Andare dritto al punto.”
Similar Phrases & Proverbs
- “Brevity is the soul of wit” (Shakespeare, “Hamlet”)
- “Less is more.” (Robert Browning)
- “Speak little, do much.” (Yiddish Proverb)
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
Contextual Usage & Humorous Quotes
- Thoreau played on this cliché: “Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.” (Letter to Mr. B., 1857)
- Imagine a stand-up comedian waving his hands and saying, “Alright folks, to get to the point, I haven’t seen punchlines this lost since a dad trying to find parking at a theme park.”
Suggested Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Books:
- “Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style” - For the virtue of clarity and conciseness.
- “On Writing” by Stephen King - Emphasizes the art of dropping unnecessary baggage in storytelling.
- Poetry:
- “The Waste Land” by T. S. Eliot - A masterclass in impactful brevity.
- “Haiku” Poetry - The epitome of concise expression.
- Movies:
- “Glengarry Glen Ross” - Characters known for getting straight to the nitty-gritty.
- Songs:
- “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles – a hit with clearly delivered points.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
Brevity is not just technical skill but an art, a mindful trimming away of excess until you reveal the diamond that lies beneath. Get to the point, and grant clarity the crown it deserves.
Catch you later, Alligator!
### Which is a similar idiom to "To get to the point"?
- [ ] Leaving no bean uncounted
- [x] Cut to the chase
- [ ] Climbing the metaphorical ladder
- [ ] Slow and steady wins the race
> **Explanation:** "Cut to the chase" is a direct idiom similar to "To get to the point," emphasizing brevity and getting to the heart of the matter.
### "Speaking concisely" is synonymous with:
- [x] Brevity
- [ ] Verbosity
- [ ] Prolixity
- [ ] Bombast
> **Explanation:** Brevity means being concise, whereas verbosity, prolixity, and bombast are antonyms associated with excessive and lengthy speech or writing.
### True or False: "Less is more" speaks to the same principle as "Get to the point."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True. Both phrases advocate for simplicity and conciseness in communication.
### Which saying is another way to encourage someone to "Get to the point"?
- [ ] Fly high with endless adjectives
- [ ] Blow it out of the water
- [x] Hit the nail on the head
- [ ] Dance around the mulberry bush
> **Explanation:** "Hit the nail on the head" means to be accurate and direct, a sentiment aligned with "Get to the point."
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