CliffsNotes version

English

Alternative forms

• Cliff's Notes version, Cliffs Notes version

Etymology

Derived from CliffsNotes, a series of literature study guides published by Clifton Hillegass.

Noun

CliffsNotes version (plural CliffsNotes versions)

1. (informal) A summary or shortened version of something.

   Synonym: Cliff notes

   • 2010 October 12, Scott Meslow, “5 Ways to Revive the 'Superman' Franchise”, in The Atlantic‎^[1], archived from the original on 2022-10-01:

     As a reboot, Man of Steel is pretty much required to give us Superman's backstory, but that doesn't have to be the arc of the whole movie. Just give us a CliffsNotes version; there's no reason Snyder can't get us from Krypton to Earth in 15 minutes, even with his beloved slow-motion camera tricks intact.

   • 2012 May 20, Andrew Keh, “Mets Fall to Blue Jays Despite Stout Pitching”, in The New York Times‎^[2], archived from the original on 2022-06-20:

     While receiving CliffsNotes versions of scouting reports on the Blue Jays' hitters between innings, Hefner, who gave the Mets three scoreless innings in his major league debut last month, pitched five innings, allowing two runs while striking out five.

   • 2013 May 24, “Jodi Arias jury deadlocks on penalty”, in CBC News‎^[3], archived from the original on 2015-12-20:

     Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley has said the case could drag on for several months as the new jury reviews evidence and hears opening statements, closing arguments and witness testimony in a "Cliffs Notes" version of the trial

   • 2018 July 29, James Donaghy, “Unforgotten series 3, episode 3 recap – DCI Stuart spots the weakest link”, in The Guardian‎^[4], archived from the original on 2022-11-29:

     The CliffsNotes version is that DCI John Bentley is a wrongun, the police in general are scum and really, really thick.