nutshell

[nuht-shel]

noun

1. the shell of a nut.

nutshell

/ ˈnʌtˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell around the kernel of a nut

2. in essence; briefly

Word History and Origins

Origin of nutshell¹

1175–1225; Middle English nutescell; nut, shell

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   Just tell me the story in a nutshell.

see in a nutshell.

Example Sentences

“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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We've got loads of nutshells, oyster shells, bits of pipe, broken wine bottles and chicken bones."

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In a nutshell, the book is an apocalyptic tale of genocide against racial minorities set in a near-future America.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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