Meaning of 'The long and short'
What does the saying 'The long and short' mean?
Idiom: The long and short
Meaning:
The long and short of something is the substance, the most important part or the gist.
('The long and the short' is also used.)
Similar Idioms
- Cut a long story short
- Short shrift
- How long is a piece of string
- Long in the tooth
- In the long run
- Long time no see
- By a long chalk
- The short straw
- Kick something into the long grass
- A day late and a dollar short
- Draw a long bow
- Short end of the stick
- Long time no hear
- Long shot
- Short-change
- Long face
- Cast a long shadow
- A long row to hoe
- Short horse soon curried
- Deep pockets but short arms
- Honest as the day is long
- Thief don’t like to see thief carry long bag
- Keep on a short leash
- In the short run
- It's as broad as it is long
- Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
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See also:
- View examples in Google: The long and short
- Idiom Quizzes