down to the short strokes adjective 1adverb 1 adjective1 •In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious."I would say we are down to the short strokes, down to the cleanup phase" of the investigation, said E. Campion Kersten, a Fox Point lawyer. — 1992 adverb1 •To the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious."You should never count Lyndon out," Nixon said. "When it comes down to the short strokes, there's no one who can handle them better than Lyndon Johnson. — 1960
