When it comes to expressing the main idea or conclusion of a situation, the phrase "long and short of it" is commonly used. However, there are several other synonyms for this phrase that can be utilized in order to convey the same message. Some of these alternatives include "bottom line," "essence," "gist," "nub," and "crux." Using these synonyms can add variety to your writing or speech and help avoid repetition. In essence, these phrases all serve to succinctly summarize the most important points of a situation or argument, no matter how complex it may be.