make it brief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it brief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to politely ask someone to be concise and to make a statement or explanation without being overly long or detailed. For example, you could say, "Can you tell me what happened? Please make it brief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He studied my face and added, "I'll make it brief".

The New Yorker

If you're tempted to linger, make it brief.

The New York Times - Travel

"Actually, I love to hear from you, but I prefer e-mail and make it brief.

The New York Times

This is where Blanchard's one-minute theory works – make it brief and to the point, and make it clear - because this is what people will remember.

Forbes

Make it brief, expressing your desire to work with them and answering any questions that they might have had during your interview that you didn't answer or that you agreed to answer more fully later.

Science Magazine

We could take a page from management professor Ken Blanchard (literally from his The One Minute Manager) and adapt his theory of the one minute criticism - scold 'em, tell 'em they still have talent, tell 'em you love 'em, and make it brief - to the art of the apology.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Make it "briefing" or simply "talking to".

The New York Times

The Handball World Championship managed 15 days, and women make it briefer still: the Netball World Championships later this year will last just eight days.

The Economist

He made it brief and to the point.

Los Angeles Times

AMEN: Please make it as brief as you can.

Yale University

I would make it even briefer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it brief" in a professional setting, follow up with specific guidelines or time limits to ensure clarity. For example, "Make it brief, no more than two minutes."

Common error

Avoid undermining your request for brevity by adding lengthy explanations afterwards. For example, instead of saying "Make it brief, because I don't have much time to listen to you and this is really important", just say "Make it brief, please."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it brief" functions as an imperative, directing the listener or reader to be concise. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a direct request for brevity. It commonly appears in situations where time is limited or a summary is needed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

8%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it brief" is a common and grammatically correct imperative used to request conciseness in communication. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's suitable for neutral to professional settings and aims to streamline conversations and presentations. Alternatives like "be concise" or "summarize quickly" can be used for variety. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific guidelines and avoiding contradictory explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be brief

A more direct synonym, simply asking for brevity.

be concise

Focuses on the quality of being clear and succinct in expression.

keep it short

Emphasizes limiting the length or duration of something.

be succinct

Similar to 'be concise', but emphasizes precision and economy of words.

get to the point

Directs attention to the most important aspect or core message.

summarize quickly

Asks for a rapid overview of the main points.

state it shortly

Requests a short and immediate delivery of information.

cut to the chase

Suggests skipping unnecessary details and immediately addressing the key issue.

keep it pithy

Focuses on making something brief and full of substance or meaning.

make it snappy

Implies urgency and asks for quick and efficient conciseness.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "make it brief"?

You can say "Please be concise", "Could you summarize?", or "In short, what happened?" These alternatives are respectful ways to request brevity.

What does it mean to "make it brief"?

To "make it brief" means to keep a statement, explanation, or discussion short and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details or digressions. It emphasizes conciseness and efficiency in communication.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "make it brief"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "make it brief" when time is limited, when you need a quick summary, or when the topic has already been discussed extensively. It's also useful when dealing with someone prone to rambling.

What are some alternatives to "make it brief"?

You can use alternatives like "be concise", "summarize quickly", or "get to the point depending" on the context.