Nutshell: meaning, definitions and examples
🌰
nutshell
[ ˈnʌtʃɛl ]
summary, explanation
A nutshell is a hard shell that encases the seed of a nut. Figuratively, the term is often used to refer to a concise summary or an explanation of a complex issue. When someone says they will explain something 'in a nutshell', they mean they will provide a brief and clear overview. The term emphasizes brevity and clarity, cutting through excessive details to present the essential points.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- To put it in a nutshell, we need more time to finish the project.
- The report, in a nutshell, shows a significant increase in sales.
- She explained the plan in a nutshell during the meeting.
Translations
Translations of the word "nutshell" in other languages:
🇵🇹 resumo
- casca
- nozes
🇮🇳 संक्षेप
- अखरोट का खोल
- नट
🇩🇪 Zusammenfassung
- Nussschale
- Nüsse
🇮🇩 intisari
- cangkang
- kacang
🇺🇦 резюме
- оболонка горіха
- горіхи
🇵🇱 streszczenie
- łupina orzecha
- orzechy
🇯🇵 要約
- ナッツの殻
- ナッツ
🇫🇷 résumé
- coque de noix
- noix
🇪🇸 resumen
- cáscara de nuez
- nueces
🇹🇷 özet
- kabuk
- fındık
🇰🇷 요약
- 견과류 껍질
- 견과류
🇸🇦 ملخص
- قشرة الجوز
- المكسرات
🇨🇿 shrnutí
- skořápka
- ořechy
🇸🇰 zhrnutie
- škrupina orecha
- orechy
🇨🇳 概要
- 坚果壳
- 坚果
🇸🇮 povzetek
- lupina
- oreščki
🇮🇸 yfirlit
- hnetuskel
- hnetur
🇰🇿 қорытынды
- жаңғақ қабығы
- жаңғақтар
🇬🇪 შეჯამება
- კაკლის გული
- კაკლები
🇦🇿 xülasə
- qozun qabığı
- qozlar
🇲🇽 resumen
- cáscara de nuez
- nueces
Etymology
The word 'nutshell' originates from the combination of 'nut' and 'shell'. The term has its roots in Old English and Middle English, where 'nut' is derived from the Proto-Germanic word '*nautaz', and 'shell' comes from the Old English 'sceoll' or 'scell', meaning a hard outer covering. The phrase began to take on a figurative meaning in the 14th century, becoming a popular idiomatic expression. The metaphorical use emphasizes the idea of something being small yet containing essential information, much like how a nut is housed within a tiny shell.