to the point

1. Relevant, concerning the matter at hand, as in Her remarks were brief and to the point , or He rambled on and on, never speaking to the point . [Early 1800s] For an antonym, see beside the point .

2. Concerning the important or essential issue, as in More to the point, she hasn't any money . This usage is often put as come or get to the point , meaning “address the important issue.” For example, Please come to the point; we haven't much time , or Do you suppose he'll ever get to the point of all this? [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

The newly appointed Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, has told us: “We will keep chipping away and undermining their business to the point where that is no longer viable and profitable.”

From BBC

"We will keep chipping away and undermining their business to the point where that is no longer viable and no longer profitable," he told the BBC.

From BBC

One family told the BBC that the housing shortage - affecting availability and affordability - has pushed them to the point of "giving up".

From BBC

About 200,000 of his soldiers have been killed and another 400,000 wounded; his military has been depleted to the point of relying on Iran for drones and on North Korea for artillery shells; his economy is in a tailspin; his country is isolated.

From Slate

It felt as though everything was repeated to the point that paying attention in class was worthless.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admissible
• applicable
• compatible
• consistent
• germane
• important
• pertinent
• proper
• related
• significant
• suitable
• suited