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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

down to the short strokes en · ADJ

Pronunciation

Etymology

Possibly an allusion to painting, in which a painter typically finishes a work with short, careful, finishing strokes of the paint brush, or an allusion to golf, in which a player concludes each hole by making short strokes with a putter. In swimming competition, as a swimmer nearly reaches a wall to turn or to finish, the competitor might take a shorter stroke to start the turn smoothly, or to finish faster.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
    • "I would say we are down to the short strokes, down to the cleanup phase" of the investigation, said E. Campion Kersten, a Fox Point lawyer. 1992 June 10, “Bembenek Doe near completion”, in Milwaukee Sentinel, retrieved 29 May 2009, page 12A:

Synonyms

down to the wire

down to the short strokes en · ADV

Pronunciation

Etymology

Possibly an allusion to painting, in which a painter typically finishes a work with short, careful, finishing strokes of the paint brush, or an allusion to golf, in which a player concludes each hole by making short strokes with a putter. In swimming competition, as a swimmer nearly reaches a wall to turn or to finish, the competitor might take a shorter stroke to start the turn smoothly, or to finish faster.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
    • When the budget negotiations get down to the short strokes in October, should I cave or take the "train wreck"? 1995 June 26, William Safire, “Essay: Reading Bill's Mind”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 May 2009:
    • Anyone who wants to vote on delegates who will then decide whether to ratify the deal must have a membership by the end of this week. "It's getting down to the short strokes," MacKay said. 2003 November 13, “Angry Tories protest outside Harper-MacKay meeting”, in CTV.ca/Canadian Press, retrieved 29 May 2009:
    • "You should never count Lyndon out," Nixon said. "When it comes down to the short strokes, there's no one who can handle them better than Lyndon Johnson. 1960 July 14, Arthur Edson, “Lyndon's Knack Gets Test”, in Milwaukee Sentinal, retrieved 29 May 2009, page 7:

Synonyms

down to the wire