Meaning & Origin
The phrase in a nutshell dates back to ancient times—Pliny the Elder wrote of a tiny copy of Homer’s Iliad that supposedly fit inside a nutshell. Today it simply signals extreme brevity.
Pronunciation Guide
Say it as IN a NUT-shell: /ɪn ə ˈnʌtˌʃɛl/ with main stress on nut.
Usage & Sentence Examples
- In a nutshell, we need more time.
- He told the story in a nutshell.
- Here’s the proposal in a nutshell: cut costs, boost marketing.
Synonyms
- in short
- briefly
- to sum up
- in summary
- in brief