nutshell

//ˈnʌtˌʃɛl//
B2Frequency Level 12Neutral
Visual representation of nutshell

Noun

nutshellSingular
nutshellsPlural
1

The hard outer covering or shell of a nut.

She cracked open the nutshell to get to the walnut inside.

2

(idiomatic, in the phrase 'in a nutshell') A very brief or concise summary; the essential facts or points.

In a nutshell, the project was a success.

Synonym