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.

"Staples like bread, meat and potatoes all cost more than they did even a month ago," says Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform AJ Bell.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 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

With Letterman at CBS competing directly with Leno at NBC, two strains of late night were defined: the former’s forward-looking, oddball approach; the latter’s more controlled, old-fashioned meat and potatoes comedy.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 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

Mrs. Baxter gave us green beans and this thing with meat and potatoes all mixed together.

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez

meat and potatoes

Example Sentences

Related Words