Meaning of "in a nut shell"

[Gaine]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #202 "Idioms about Food", question 7

"'In a nutshell', the problem was caused by a faulty wire," said the experienced electrician. What does 'in a nutshell' mean? .........

(a) To be blunt about something
(b) To be concise about something
(c) To be long and exhaustive about something

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #202 "Idioms about Food", answer 7

"'In a nutshell', the problem was caused by a faulty wire," said the experienced electrician. What does 'in a nutshell' mean? To be concise about something

Correct answer: (b) To be concise about something
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in a nut shell?

Gaine

[Alan]

Hi Gaine,

The expression put something in a nutshell or simply in a nutshell means explaining something in the simplest form/using as few words as possible to explain something. Here's an example:

I've got bills to pay, I've got to have my car repaired and I've just lost my job - putting it in a nutshell I'm fed up!

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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