back to basics

Returning to the fundamental aspects of something. Since you're struggling to play chords, let's get back to basics and look at the notes on the scale. Considering that the entire class did poorly on that Biology test, I guess we're going to have to go back to basics on Monday. The forwards are trying to do too much out there, that's why they're not scoring. We need to get back to basics in practice.

See also: back, basic, to

basic

slang Primarily heard in US.

1. Describing one who likes or partakes in stereotypically trendy things; having no sophistication or unrefined tastes. I'm not basic, I just think Starbucks coffee tastes nice. His writing isn't bad, it's just basic. I mean, it's yet another zombie survival story. Ugh, you're just like every other basic blogger gushing about fall.

2. Very boring, unremarkable, or uncool. Sure, she's got a good job and a nice house, but she's just so basic. I mean, has she ever done anything really interesting in her life? A: "Can I come hang out with you guys?" B: "No way! You're like, so basic, Britney." You seem so basic, though. Prove to us you're edgy.

basic decency

Common, everyday courtesy, respect, and politeness that is expected and assumed by social convention. Please have the basic decency to at least consult me before you make some extravagant purchase. It is an assumed basic decency that you should help someone if they are in distress. I can't believe she came to the gala when she wasn't even invited. Has she no basic decency?

get back to basics

To return to the fundamental aspects of something. Since you're struggling to play chords, let's get back to basics and look at the notes on the scale. Considering that the entire class did poorly on that Biology test, I guess we're going to have to get back to basics on Monday. The forwards are trying to do too much out there, that's why they're not scoring. We need to get back to basics in practice.

go back to basics

To return to the fundamental aspects of something. Since you're struggling to play chords, let's go back to basics and look at the notes on the scale. Considering that the entire class did poorly on that Biology test, I guess we're going to have to go back to basics on Monday. The forwards are trying to do too much out there, that's why they're not scoring. We need to go back to basics in practice.

back to basics

return to basic instruction; start the learning process over again. Class, you seem to have forgotten the simplest of facts, so it's back to basics for the first week of classes.

See also: back, basic, to

back to basics

Back to fundamental principles, as in The plans are much too elaborate; to stay in our budget we have to get back to basics. At first this term was used mainly for schooling that stresses proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics (also see three R's), but it quickly was transferred to other areas. [1970s]

See also: back, basic, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

get back to basics

go back to basics

If you get back to basics or go back to basics, you concentrate on simple, important ideas or activities. It helps to get back to basics and say explicitly how we want to satisfy our target customer. This is about going back to basics, learning about a healthy diet and approaching food in a new way. Note: Back-to-basics can be used before nouns. We need a new back-to-basics drive to raise standards of literacy in Britain's schools.

back to basics

abandoning complication and sophistication to concentrate on the most essential aspects of something.

Back to basics is often used to suggest the moral superiority of the plain and simple, as in a speech made in 1993 by the British Conservative leader John Major , who spearheaded the government's campaign for the regeneration of basic family and educational values in the 1990s.

See also: back, basic, to

get/go back to ˈbasics

think about the simple or most important ideas within a subject or an activity instead of new ideas or complicated details: It’s time for us all to get back to basics and concentrate on what really matters.