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Glite Dictionary
to get straight to the point

to get straight to the point

6 3.5
To speak directly about the main idea without extra details
  • idiom
translation icon : ir directo al grano
  • Let me just get straight to the point.
  • let me get straight to the point
  • get straight to the point, she said
  • Well, I'll get straight to the point

Examples

Synonyms

to get to the point
vsto get straight to the point
  • Informal
126 3.1

Talk about the most important part without extra details

is more forceful removing even mild extra details
to call a spade a spade
vsto get straight to the point
  • Informal
6 6.0

To speak clearly and honestly about something even if it is unpleasant

is general directness without emphasizing unpleasant or harsh tone
to lay it on the line
vsto get straight to the point
  • Informal
3 7.8

To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble

is more neutral focusing on clear points without risk
to mince no words
vsto get straight to the point
  • Informal
1 7.7

Speak very directly without trying to be polite

is more about brevity and skipping digressions not bluntness
to get straight to the facts
vsto get straight to the point
3.2

Focus immediately on the most important information without extra details

is broader covering the main point beyond only factual details

Antonyms

to beat around the bush
  • Informal
17 5.6

To avoid saying what you mean directly

How Direct

to get straight to the point
6 3.5
to get to the point
  • Informal
126 3.1
to beat around the bush
  • Informal
17 5.6

Surface Forms

get straight to the point infinitive
getting straight to the point present participle
gets straight to the point third person singular
got straight to the point past
got straight to the point past participle

Morphology

get + straight + to + the + point

The meaning 'to speak directly' is compositionally derivable: 'get' (reach/arrive at) + 'straight' (directly) + 'to the point' (to the main idea) yields the idea of reaching the main idea without detours. This construction follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern of 'reach/directly to the main idea', so an average B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand it.

Etymology

Get straight to the point comes from a simple image: imagine you get straight to a small mark or the tip of an arrow without going around it. That's why it means 'to speak directly' and 'say the main idea'.