the nuts and bolts

The most basic, fundamental, or essential aspects of something. Japanese is intimidating because of the written characters, but the nuts and bolts of the language are actually pretty straightforward. We came up with a lot of big ideas, but no one addressed the nuts and bolts of how to implement them.

See also: and, bolt, nuts

nuts and bolts

1. Fig. the mundane workings of something; the basics of something. (See also get down to the nuts and bolts.) I want you to learn how to write well. You have to know the nuts and bolts of writing. She's got a lot of good, general ideas, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of getting something done, she's no good.

2. Sl. the subject of psychology in college. I took a class in nuts and bolts and didn't learn anything at all about what makes me tick. Tom is flunking nuts and bolts because he won't participate in the required "experiments."

See also: and, bolt, nuts

nuts and bolts, the

The essential or basic aspects of something, as in They have lofty goals but don't specify the nuts and bolts of how to achieve them. This expression alludes to basic working components of machinery. [Mid-1900s]

nuts and bolts

the basic practical details of something. informal

See also: and, bolt, nuts

the nuts and ˈbolts (of something)

(informal) the most important and practical details of something: Jim put together the nuts and bolts of the deal; I added the details. ♢ He worked there long enough to learn the nuts and bolts of the business.

Nuts and bolts are small pieces of metal that are screwed together to fasten things together.

See also: and, bolt, nuts

nuts and bolts

1. n. the mundane workings of something; the basics of something. She’s got a lot of good, general ideas, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of getting something done, she’s no good.

2. n. the subject of psychology in college. Tom is flunking nuts and bolts because he won’t participate in the required “experiments.”

See also: and, bolt, nuts

References in periodicals archive ?

The line from which the nuts and bolts were stolen was brand new.

Train derailed after bolts in rail line are stolen

The popular courses, billed as the Nuts and Bolts Experience after the popular soap opera filmed in Merthyr Tydfil, are held across the South Wales Valleys.

Threat to acting courses

Jan, currently starring as Lisa in London's Burning, said her love for Wales made it an easy decision to join the Nuts and Bolts cast.

JAN - WHY I DON'T NEED A MAN

When all the nuts and bolts remaining in a set have been used, any remaining construction components are useless, and vice versa.

Toys As Models. (Agile And Otherwise)

I look at all the seniors and we'll count on her, especially now that were in the nuts and bolts of the season, for her leadership ability.

MOVING TO THE FRONT; GIORDANO IS A LEADER AT LMU

Investigators have attacked the nuts and bolts of the problems encountered during deployment of the Tethered Satellite System (SN: 8/15/92, p.

Bolt jammed tether's reel

Funding For Womens Health Programs: How To Secure The Money You Need To Help Your Program Thrive" sets the stage, with an overview presentation on the vision of what can be achieved and the practicalities of "thinking funding;" a case history of a successful womens health center and the centers successes in funding and philanthropy, and, finally what needs to be done -- the nuts and bolts of organizing to start a grants funding effort.

Funding Chief Concern of Professionals Responsible for the Management and Administration of Their Organizations Womens Health Program

The Nuts and Bolts Experience leads to a BTec qualification and will continue despite the axing of the soap.

The rise and fall of Ystrad

That represents a massive drop in the Nuts and Bolts audience, from 355,000 to only 68,000.

Nuts and Bolts failing to find first gear; TELEVISION: HTV soap's new series falling well short of previous audience figures