Meaning:
“To cut a long story short” simply means to leave out the details and shorten a story in order to get to the point.
Use:
If this is the real meaning, it is also worth noting how this idiom is really used. It is ironic that for this idiom, meaning and real use are sometimes in opposition. In fact, when a speaker says this phrase, most of the time it means that he/she is going to tell you a very long and boring story.
You can use this idiom in its entirety “to cut a long story short”, cut it down to “long story short”, or in the alternative form “make a long story short”.
Example #1:
To cut a long story short, he was born; he lived; he wrote books; he inflicted suffering and occasionally suffered himself.
Example #2:
Example #3
To make a long story short, it revolutionized the book trade.
Ludwig's wrap-up:
If you say or write that you are going to cut a long story short, then keep it short and to the point. Your audience or readership will really appreciate it.
This is how to cut a long story short with a 3hr movie.
