short and sweet

American  

[shawrt uhn sweet] / ˈʃɔrt ən ˈswit /

idiom

1. pleasantly brief and relevant.

   We're in a hurry, so make it short and sweet.

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short and sweet More Idioms  

1. Satisfyingly brief and pertinent, as in When we asked about the coming merger, the chairman's answer was short and sweet—it wasn't going to happen. This expression was already proverbial in 1539, when it appeared in Richard Taverner's translation of Erasmus's Adagia. Over the years it was occasionally amplified, as in James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721): “Better short and sweet than long and lax.”

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Etymology

Origin of short and sweet

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

My question is short and sweet: Can these be written off on our tax return, or does the deduction go to the gift giver?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Specializing in the centuries-old tenderloin recipe "Bife à Marrare," which they claim to have perfected, Brilhante's menu is short and sweet, but offers a little of everything you might want.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2024

John's career might have been relatively short and sweet by modern-day standards, but his legacy was one most players could only dream of.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024

Braver Angels suggests settling for short and sweet conversations.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

And because Spoony was tired of explaining himself, and Dad was tired of asking him to change, they kept their conversations short and sweet.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds