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Definitions

heart of the matter

NOUN
nitty-gritty
Synonyms
STRONG
basics core essence focus fundamentals gist heart kernel meat quintessence reality root soul substance
WEAK
bottom line brass tacks chief part chief thing cold fact essential details essential part hard fact important matter meat and potatoes name of the game nuts and bolts the facts the name of the game
Antonyms
STRONG
exterior exteriority outside surface

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.

At the heart of the matter are longstanding rules that cap the number of households one company can reach.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

And then — the heart of the matter — curate a vibe.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

Here's what we know about their agreement to uphold a truce, Trump's role in sealing the deal and the conflict at the heart of the matter.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

The larger issue at the beating heart of the matter is that this is a very cumbersome method of seeking accountability.

From Slate • Oct. 9, 2025

He decided to begin with the most obvious question, to get to the heart of the matter, and so he asked, “Is it really pain you feel, Mrs. Das, or is it guilt?”

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri