The Archive

Etymology Journal · S

Spare me the details

Meaning

A direct way to tell someone that you do not need the long version of their story. It suggests that the listener only wants the bottom line, not the messy background info.

Dismissive, blunt

Used in a sentence

  • Did you get the report finished? Spare me the details.
  • I know why you are late, but spare me the details and just get to work.
  • Just tell me if they said yes or no, spare me the details.

The backstory

A common idiom in American English that emphasizes efficiency over storytelling. It reflects a no-nonsense approach to communication.

Heard in

Nationwide

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