nutshell

American  

[nuht-shel] / ˈnʌtˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell of a nut.

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idioms

1. in a nutshell,  in very brief form; in a few words.

   Just tell me the story in a nutshell.

nutshell British  

/ ˈnʌtˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell around the kernel of a nut

2. in essence; briefly

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nutshell More Idioms  

1. see in a nutshell.

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Etymology

Origin of nutshell

1175–1225; Middle English nutescell; nut, shell

Example Sentences

In a nutshell it would see the demolition and rebuilding of the city's existing Arts centre, the refurbishment of the adjacent Town Hall and the linking of the two.

From BBC

Its dereliction in a nutshell: only investigating whether the sentiment was right, not whether the policy—at the cost of trillions—did what it said it did.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That’s just Miller in a nutshell, like he’s always trying to help others,” said Pomerantz, one of the many volunteers at Moss’ youth football camp.

From Los Angeles Times

"In a nutshell, it's a comedy about two quite ridiculous young men and the double lives they lead," Alexander explained.

From BBC

“Nonstop,” Cole said, describing Banana Ball in a nutshell.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curtail
• cut
• cut down
• diminish
• dwindle
• knock off
• lessen
• lower
• pare
• scale down
• shorten
• slash
• trim
• weaken