Idioms: Expressions with 'story'

An idiom is defined in Wordweb Dictionary as an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up.

People say the better your knowledge about idiomatic expressions, the more natural your English is.

Well, why don't we start practicing now?

1. To cut a long story short

To tell the main facts without the details.

A: Where's your homework?

B: Sorry, Miss, I had to go shopping and cook dinner and ... Well, to cut a long story short, I didn't have time to do it.

2. A sob story

A story someone tells you to make you feel sorry for them.

A: Hey, Mate, why so sad?

B: I fell off my bike yesterday and I broke my leg. And not only that, I lost my handphone and wallet, too.

A: What a sob story!

3. End of story

All that needs to be said about something.

A: Dad - I thought I might go out with my friends tonight.

B: Well, OK, but if you want to go out, you have to do your homework first - end of story!

4. It's the same old story

Something unwanted that frequently happens to you.

A: Let's go to the cinema.

B: Yeah, good idea - but I'm broke, can you buy my ticket?

A: Again?! It's the same old story, isn't it?

5. That's a likely story

Something that is very hard to believe.

A: Where's your homework?

B: Well, I did it, but then my dog ate it.

A: Oh, right! That's a likely story.

6. It's the story of my life

Something negative that has happened many times before.

A: So - how did you do in the test?

B: I failed - again! It's the story of my life.

7. His or her side of the story

The events as he or she describes them (often contradicting another version).

A: I'm sorry I lost your camera, but really it was Sally's fault.

B: Well, I'm going to talk to Sally and hear her side of the story.

8. To make up a story

To invent an excuse.

A: Sorry I didn't come last night!

B: But why didn't you phone me? And please don't make up a story about your phone not working!

I recommend you to read them at least three times, and try to use them often. That way the idioms will pop up naturally when you need to use them. Have fun...

See you next time with other interesting idioms :-)