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Definitions

get down to brass tacks

VERB
analyze
Synonyms
STRONGEST
consider evaluate figure out inspect interpret investigate resolve scrutinize spell out study test
STRONG
assay confab estimate figure hash judge rehash
WEAK
beat a dead horse chew over kick around sort out talk game think through
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forget ignore neglect
WEAK
assemble combine synthesize
VERB
cite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allege allude to indicate mention name offer point out present recount refer to repeat specify spell out tell
STRONG
adduce advance enumerate evidence excerpt exemplify extract instance lay number recite reference rehearse remember reminisce
WEAK
appeal to give as example illustrate with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal deny take withhold
STRONG
forget insert
VERB
detail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze delineate depict describe enumerate lay out portray recount relate reveal set forth spell out stipulate summarize tell uncover
STRONG
catalog circumstantiate communicate designate elaborate embellish epitomize exhibit individualize itemize narrate particularize produce recapitulate recite rehearse report show specialize spread
WEAK
fly speck quote chapter and verse sweat details
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal confuse cover hide mix up suppress
STRONG
simplify
WEAK
misrepresent withhold
VERB
specify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cite define determine enumerate establish fix indicate lay out limit mention point out spell out stipulate
STRONG
blueprint condition detail finger individualize instance inventory itemize list make name particularize peg set settle slot specialize tag
WEAK
be specific button down come to the point draw a picture get to the point go into detail pin down precise put down put finger on show clearly specificate specificize tab tick off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confuse destroy neglect unsettle
STRONG
discourage dissuade halt ignore
WEAK
generalize
VERB
talk turkey
Synonyms
WEAK
make no bones about it mince no words

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The major work will happen in the months ahead, when we’ll get down to brass tacks and craft a responsible and balanced budget which will help make California more livable and affordable.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2025

"It's almost inevitable that the splintering will happen when you get down to brass tacks about what good parenting really looks like."

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2022

But then we get down to brass tacks and the trailer... pretty much tells you the movie’s entire plot, as my colleague Chaim Gartenberg noted in a first look.

From The Verge • Jul. 24, 2021

The royal family is, when we get down to brass tacks, a bunch of sloanes.

From The Guardian • May 22, 2019

To get down to brass tacks, three boys, one of them my son, have disappeared under remarkable circumstances from this island, and the indications point directly toward you men as responsible for their disappearance.

From The Radio Boys in the Thousand Islands by Duffield, J. W.