cut vs. reduce vs. snip vs. curtail

[Zilanow]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #55 "Hear my Story", question 6

To ......... a long story short, I'll come straight to the point and tell you exactly what happened.

(a) cut
(b) reduce
(c) snip
(d) curtail

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #55 "Hear my Story", answer 6

To cut a long story short, I'll come straight to the point and tell you exactly what happened.

Correct answer: (a) cut
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what's different between these verbs?

zilanow

[Mister Micawber]

.
The - DICTIONARY will give you the definitions, with examples, of all these verbs, but the point here is that 'to cut a long story/tale short' is a fixed expression, so only 'cut' will serve.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Marisita]

Why not the word reduce? it is not the same expression??

[Mister Micawber]

I think I just explained that 'cut...short' is a fixed expression, but in any case, 'reduce...short' does not work grammatically. 'Reduce' cannot take a verb complement like that adjective.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's