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Definitions

meat and potatoes

NOUN
fundamental parts
Synonyms
WEAK
basis bottom line essence gist gravamen guts name of the game nitty-gritty nuts and bolts score substance
ADJECTIVE
of fundamental importance
Synonyms
STRONG
basic bottom-line essential fundamental indispensable primary/prime radical underlying vital
WEAK
bottom lowermost nethermost undermost

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.

"She got the diet just right for Middle England - meat and potatoes, all the greens in the right place. And sponge pudding to follow. It's comfortable and regular. Sometimes you'll even enjoy it."

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

I’d like to move on to a few questions about sort of the meat and potatoes issues that you touched on earlier.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

How is writing for “Matlock,” a meat and potatoes procedural, the same or different as writing for “Jane the Virgin,” which leaned on magical surrealism?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2024

Pairing it with a simple side of partially mashed chickpeas will satisfy that meat and potatoes guy in your life for Father’s Day.

From Washington Times • Jun. 14, 2023

“But I get hungry for meat and potatoes later.”

From "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor