come to the point

Are you using the idiom come to the point but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the come to the point idiom and the situations in which it is 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.”

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.