A: I’ve heard that you are having a villa built in your hometown. How are things doing?

B: Building a house is a long ordeal. Just when you think you are down to the short strokes, something unexpected comes up.

Note: This term is possibly an allusion to painting, in which a painter typically finishes a work with short, careful, finishing strokes of the paint brush. Others say it comes from golf. When a golfer begins at the tee, he hits the ball towards the green by driving, or using a long stroke. When the ball is on the green, he must get the ball in the hole by putting — or taking “short” strokes.