come to the point

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does come to the point mean? In what situations is come to the point used?

Meaning of "come to the point"

Meaning

The idiom “come to the point” is used to urge someone to get to the main point of their discussion without wasting time on unnecessary details. By using the phrase “come to the point,” you are making it clear that you want the person to be brief and succinct. This idiom is typically used when someone is talking for a long time without making much progress in the conversation.

Etymology

The phrase “come to the point” first appeared in the early 1500s and is likely derived from the Latin phrase “pervenire ad punctum,” which can be translated to “arrive at a point.” This phrase was used to mean “come to a conclusion” and was likely adopted into English via French. The phrase is still in use today, often in the same context.

Usage

The idiom “come to the point” is a common phrase used in both professional and casual conversations. It is often used as an imperative phrase when someone is speaking too much without making much progress in a conversation. It can also be used to indicate that someone should be direct and clear when discussing a topic. This phrase can be modified depending on the context of the conversation. For example, it could be used in the phrase “come to a point” or “get to a point” when directing someone to be more concise.

Example Sentences

• “Can you please come to the point? We don't have all day.”
• “Let’s get to a point here. What is the main issue we need to resolve?”
• “We’ve been talking for an hour and I still don’t know what you’re getting at. Could you come to a point?”
• “I think it would be best if we just came to the point so we can move on from here.”

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.