Cut to the chase

(Finn and Feifei are in the car going to work)

Finn:	Thank you for driving me to work today, Feifei. It's a nice car.
Feifei:	Yeah, it's brand new.
Finn:	It must have cost a lot of money. By the way, I noticed you had a meeting with the boss yesterday ... and you look very happy today. Good news?
Feifei:	Yes, very good news. First the boss offered me ...
Finn:	A pay rise?
Feifei:	Tea. And then he offered me ...
Finn:	A promotion?
Feifei:	Biscuits. And then he asked me ...
Finn:	He asked you if you want a post abroad?
Feifei:	If my chair was comfortable.
Finn:	Oh, come on Feifei, cut to the chase!
Feifei:	Cut to the chase!? Is there anyone chasing us? Let's go faster. See if he is still behind us.
Finn:	Slow down, Feifei! Nobody is chasing us!
Feifei:	Okay, okay!
Finn:	Oh. That was quite an adventure. In English, we say "cut to the chase" when we want to hear the most important piece of information; we want someone telling us something to get to the point!
Feifei:	Ah! It might come from the movies. The chase is usually the most exciting part.
Finn:	Yes. Let's hear some examples:

• The salesman went on and on about the computer's new features till I told him: "Cut to the chase! What is the price?"
• We've been going out for five years. Let's cut to the chase. Just tell me: Are you going to marry me?

Feifei: So that's what "cut to the chase" means.

Finn:	Sure. So Feifei "cut to the chase" and tell me: What did the boss offer you?
Feifei:	I've just told you.
Finn:	What? What was it?
Feifei:	He asked me if my chair, the one by my desk, was comfortable. So I told him it wasn't. And he offered me a new chair so that I can work longer hours in comfort.
Finn:	Is that all!?
Feifei:	Yes. I'm always complaining about my bad back.
Finn:	Well. I don't have a bad back but I'm aching for a pay rise. Let's go to the office. Bye.
Feifei:	Bye.
	(car starting)