returned to the main principles of something.

She got back to basics on her last album, using just a guitar and piano to produce some wonderful music.

Usage notes: often used with go or get, as in the example

Etymology: based on the idea of learning the basics in school(= reading, writing, addition, subtraction)

• the buck stops with someone
• the buck stops with someone.
• the bum's rush
• the bush telegraph
• the business end
• the business end of
• the business end of something
• the calm before the storm
• the cards are stacked against
• the cards are stacked against someone
• the cart before the horse
• the casting couch
• the center of attention
• the change of life
• the chattering classes
• the child from hell
• the [child/house/mother, etc.] from hell
• the chosen few
• the coast is clear
• the cock of the walk
• the comings and goings
• the common touch
• the conventional wisdom
• the corridors of power
• the cream of the crop