шутки коротки

• РАЗГОВОР КОРОТКИЙ у кого с кем; ШУТКИ КОРОТКИЕ <КОРОТКИ> all coll

[VPsubj with быть; fixed WO (var. with short-form Adj)]

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⇒ (may refer to dealing with one person, a group of people, people of a given type etc) s.o. deals with another or others in an abrupt and decisive manner, not wasting time on conversations or explanations:

- у X-a с Y-ом разговор короткий{{}}≈ X takes swift action with Y;

- X takes quick, firm action with Y;

- X doesn't waste <mince> words with Y.

     ♦ "С прогульщиками у меня разговор короткий, - сказал декан. - За шесть пропущенных без уважительных причин занятий снимаю со стипендии". "I take swift action with students who cut classes," said the dean. "Six cuts without a good reason, and I pull your stipend."