story

but that's another story

something that you say when you have spoken about something, but do not want to say anything more about it at that time. Alex, meanwhile, was falling madly in love with Nicky, but that's another story. Funnily enough, we bumped into each other again in Amsterdam, but that's another story.

See also: another, but

a cock-and-bull story (informal)

a story or explanation which is obviously not true. She told me some cock-and-bull story about her car breaking down.

End of story. (informal)

something that you say when you think that the opinion you have just expressed about something is correct and that there is no other possible way of thinking about it. If you don't have the money, you don't spend it. End of story.

See also: end

It's a long story.

something that you say when someone has asked you about something that happened and you do not want to explain it to them because it would take too long. 'So why was Carlo knocking on your door at midnight?' 'It's a long story.'

See also: it's, long

It's the same old story.

something that you say when a bad situation has happened many times before. It's the same old story - the women do all the work and the men just sit around talking.

See also: it's, old, same

It's/That's the story of my life. (humorous)

something that you say when something bad happens to you that has happened to you many times before. She said she just wanted us to be friends. That's the story of my life.

See also: it's, life

A likely story.

something that you say when you do not believe that an explanation is true. He claims he thought he was drinking low alcohol lager. A likely story. So he was just giving her a friendly hug because she was upset, was he? That's a likely story if ever I heard one.

See also: likely

a shaggy dog story

a joke which is a long story with a silly end. My grandad insists on telling these shaggy dog stories, which nobody finds funny except him.

See also: dog

a sob story

a sad story that someone tells you about themselves in order to make you feel sympathy for them. She told me some sob story about not having enough money to go and see her father who was ill.

See also: sob

a tall story/tale

a story or a statement that is difficult to believe because it is too exciting or interesting. He told me a tall story about having met some top models in a nightclub.

See also: tale, tall

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (humorous)

something that you say when you have given an explanation about yourself which is not completely true. I'm not fat, I've just got big bones. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

See also: I'm, stick

to cut a long story short (British & Australian, American)

something that you say when you are about to stop telling someone all the details of something that happened and tell them only the main facts. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we left at midnight and James left somewhat later.

See also: cut, long, short

a whale of a [job/party/story etc.] (American & Australian)

a very good job, party, story etc.. They've done a whale of a job renovating the building.

See also: job, party, whale

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end of story

all that can be said or reported about something. That's right, your contract will not be renewed, end of story.

See also: end

it's the same old story

this bad situation has happened many times before. It's the same old story — the women do all the work and the men just sit around talking.

the same old same old

the same old thing

See also: it's, old, same

the story of someone's life

something that repeatedly happens to someone. She's involved with another guy who says he's going to divorce his wife soon — that's the story of her life.

See also: life

that's another story

that is an explanation I will make at some other time. Strangely enough, we bumped into each other again in Amsterdam, but that's another story.

Usage notes: usually used when you have just said as much about something as you feel is necessary

See also: another

to make a long story short

as a way to avoid a long explanation, I am going to give only the basic facts. To make a long story short, I was young and ambitious and I thought I could beat the guy.

See also: long, short