To skip unnecessary details and get straight to the main point or conclusion of a narrative.
This phrase appeared in English literature by the 18th century, reflecting the storytelling tradition where narrators would acknowledge they were abbreviating their tales. It became a standard conversational device for signaling that one is jumping to the essential conclusion without boring elaboration.
The phrase is delightfully self-aware - it's a story about not telling stories! It serves as both a narrative device and a social courtesy, acknowledging that the speaker recognizes their audience's time constraints while still conveying essential information.
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