That's another story
Meaning
It means that a related but separate topic is too long or complicated to discuss right now and should be reserved for a different time.
Origin
The phrase "That's another story" wasn't born from some grand historical event or a single stroke of linguistic genius. Instead, it's a deeply human invention, a natural outgrowth of our eternal struggle to keep a narrative on track. Picture storytellers throughout history—from ancient bards to modern-day gossips—trying to recount an event without getting lost in a labyrinth of fascinating, yet tangential, details. "How the king truly came to power—ah, that's another story," they'd declare, a wink and a nod acknowledging the intriguing detour while politely redirecting the listener. It's a linguistic bookmark, a verbal agreement to save a juicy detail for a different time, ensuring the current tale holds its shape. This elegant conversational tool allows us to manage information overload, keeping our discussions focused without ever having to say, "Stop interrupting with irrelevant facts!" It's a testament to the art of storytelling, a simple phrase that helps us navigate the winding paths of human conversation.
Examples
- We managed to finish the project on time, but getting all the team members to agree on the final design—that's another story.
- He finally got the promotion he wanted, though the challenges he faced along the way—that's another story.