in a nutshell
briefly, summarised
In Spanish
briefly, summarised
Examples
- In a nutshell, the project is over budget and behind schedule.
- In a nutshell, our vacation was a disaster from start to finish.
- The professor explained the theory in a nutshell during the last five minutes of class.
When it's used
This phrase is used in both informal and formal contexts to convey information concisely. It's common in everyday conversation and writing. It is used to give a general idea without going into details.
The common mistake
A common mistake is using the structure 'in a resumidas cuentas', attempting to translate the Spanish phrase directly. This literal translation does not make sense in English.
Related idioms
FROM WHAT YOU READ TO WHAT YOU SAY
Recognising it isn't the same as using it
Reading an idiom and understanding it is step one. Dropping it into a conversation, at the right moment, without stopping to think, is another — and that only comes from speaking.
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