the meat and potatoes
the meat and potatoes
The most basic or fundamental aspects of something. Too much information will overwhelm the new hire, so just give him the meat and potatoes. The meat and potatoes of this game is keeping possession of the ball.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
meat and potatoes
The fundamental part or parts of something, as in This paragraph is the meat and potatoes of the contract. This metaphoric term transfers what some regard as basic fare to the basics of an issue. [Mid-1900s]
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.
meat and potatoes
INFORMALThe meat and potatoes of something are the most important and basic things about it or parts of it. American workwear is the meat and potatoes of off-duty clothing. The real meat and potatoes of any auto show is in the cars and trucks people can buy now.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
meat and potatoes
ordinary but fundamental things; basic ingredients. 1993 New York Times Mainstream rock acts like Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen are the meat and potatoes of A.O.R.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
meat and potatoes
Informal The fundamental parts or part; the basis.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.