to the point
303
3.7
- idiom
:
conciso
- I'll get right to the point.
- get to the point
- more to the point
- perhaps more to the point
Super well researched, short, punchy to the point, very thought provoking work.
- Super well researched, short, punchy to the point, very thought provoking work.
- She's a strong, tenacious, honest, very, very to the point, wonderful woman.
- His points are clear and they're to the point.
Examples
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The teacher's feedback was clear and to the point, focusing on the main issues in the essay.
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Her presentation was concise and to the point, making it easy for everyone to understand.
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I need to get right to the point.
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Can we stick to the point here?
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Now, keep your questions short and to the point.
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So I'll get right to the point.
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Spitzer moved quickly to meet with the media, and he was brief and to the point.
Academic text (2011) -
You know, because it's so to the point, there's no fluff.
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Participants are expected to speak simply and to the point without repetition, rhetorical flourishes, or argumentativeness.
Academic text (1993) -
I appreciate when emails are to the point without unnecessary information.
Synonyms
58
4.9
Connected to the main topic or situation
12
4.0
Quick and pleasant without extra detail, often about a talk or message
1
3.7
Easy to understand without extra details
Antonyms
How Relevant
Surface Forms
Morphology
to + the + point
The meaning 'relevant and expressed without unnecessary detail' is directly derivable from the literal components 'to' + 'the' + 'point' — i.e. directed toward the main point. This prepositional phrase follows a common compositional pattern in English, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will very likely infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
To the point may come from the simple image of someone pointing at a single spot on a map or a target to show the main idea. That quick, clear gesture shows only what matters, so to the point means 'relevant and without extra detail'.