[Idiom] let's get to the point

[Pheobe Choi]

Does "let's get to the point" and "let's get down to the point" mean the same thing?
If so please explain what function the word 'down' is doing in the idiom
and if not, please explain the difference between the two.

 

[bwkcaj_ca]

Hello Phoebe;

There may be a slight difference in meaning between these two expressions.

"Get down" is a phrasal verb. If the speaker uses it instead of just
"get" she probably feels previous discussions have missed the most important or main point.

Simply using "get" doesn't include the idea that there has been any
previous discussion (although there may have been.)