crux of the matter

the crux of the matter

The most important, central, or fundamental essence or elements of an issue, problem, or matter at hand. Thank you all for attending this staff meeting. Before we get to the crux of the matter, I'd like to assure each of you that your jobs are secure. Here's the crux of the matter, Bill. We feel like your performance has really been slipping recently.
See also: crux, matter, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

crux of the matter

Also, heart of the matter. The basic, central or critical point of an issue. For example, In this trial the bloodstains represent the crux of the matter, or We think the second clause is the heart of the matter. Although crux is Latin for "cross," in English it means "difficulty" or "puzzle," and it is from the latter that this expression is thought to be derived. The variant employs heart in the sense of "a vital part" (as it is in the body). The first term dates from the late 1800s, the variant from the early 1500s.
See also: crux, matter, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

crux of the matter, the

The essential, pivotal point of an issue. The word “crux” came into English from Latin unchanged except in meaning; in Latin crux means “cross,” specifically the kind used in crucifixions and other executions. The English word “crux,” on the other hand, also signifies a difficulty or puzzle. This meaning, some writers believe, stems from the crossing of the two lines that make up a cross, which is also called a knot or node, whence the transfer to a “knotty problem.” Songwriter John Lennon, of Beatles fame, punned on the cliché in The Fingeltoad Resort: “That seems to be the crutch of the matter.”
See also: crux, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • crux
  • crux of the matter, the
  • the crux of the matter
  • the heart of the matter
  • the root of the matter
  • heart and soul
  • root of the matter
  • root of the matter, the
  • the meat of the matter
  • the root of the problem
References in periodicals archive
Guwahati (Assam) [India], Dec 27 ( ANI ): With China saying that it will maintain communication with India to deal with massive lakes formed by landslides on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet following an earthquake, Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday urged the Center to get to the crux of the matter.
Assam BJP leader says it's time to go to Brahmaputra issue's roots
Among his topics are the Kingdom of God; John the Baptist and other movers and shakers; a virgin, a king, a high priest, a governor, and a rabbi; Joshua the carpenter's son or the Christ, the son of God; the 12 learners; Saul or Paul; the crux of the matter; and apocalypse then.
Into the World of the New Testament: Greco-Roman and Jewish Texts and Contexts
And here lies the crux of the matter, for I do not share the typical English fault of sentimentality towards animals.
Desmond might make me duck the UK
Allen said in a seminar in Washington organized by the Atlantic Institute Council for Research "We should be very careful and avoid putting any timetable, but we have to be ready when the time comes." Allen said that he agree "with the view of the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the Iraqi army will move when it is ready for it, and this is the crux of the matter." He added that "the restoration of the cities controlled by the" Islamic State "will require more than a military effort, because after the expulsion of militants of Daash organization, the Iraqi government should sent police forces and medical units and provide water and food for the population.
John Allen: There Should Not Be A Timetable For The Restoration Of Mosul
Rapporteur of the Energy Committee Nafti Mahdhi told TAP "the remaining amendments are superficial," saying the crux of the matter rests in Article 32 which stipulates the creation of a technical committee in charge of renewable energy to ensure transparency and avoid cases of corruption.
NCA passes Articles 4 to 13 of draft law on renewable energy
The crux of the matter is that the writer is revelling in the past.
Past is history
Some have focused on specific people and things -- a religious figure or a television station -- but the crux of the matter is Qatar's determination to act on a world stage in a manner that is wildly out of line with its demographic clout.
Time to toe the line
It seems that the crux of the matter involves establishment's stand more than civil government's initiatives for peace.
Govt-Taliban peace talks
They were bullied out on a pitch perfect for batting and that is the crux of the matter. Scoring a couple of fifties on a beautiful batting pitch when you've got a total of 531 ahead of you and two days to survive for is not going to cut it.
It should not have taken four days for Cook and co to show a bit of grit
However, the crux of the matter is that a solution to finance these infrastructures is yet to be found.
UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN : TRANSPORT PRIORITIES FOR 2014-2020 DRAWN UP
But noW We've reached the crux of the matter - the grand final, in Which somebody Will Win not only PS20,000, but also the opportunity to have their culinary creation grace supermarket shelves across the land.
TV CHOICE
At the crux of the matter is European law which requires these diagnostic ports to be built into cars so that authorised dealerships can service cars - or get you a new key should you lose yours.
Drivers pay the price of crime; nat MAGGIE BARRY reveals how to cut insurance bills
The crux of the matter will be whether there was an existing public highway along that part of the beach.
Beach highway 'hard to justify'
The release says the crux of the matter for Anonymous is that Sony asked for the personal information of people who viewed Hotz's video demonstrations of the jailbreaking on YouTube and visited his web site.
Anonymous Changes Tactics Against Sony
Palmer has now matched him, but the thought crossed my mind that for all the bold talk the crux of the matter is this: England are not the big boys of the Six Nations.
Big talk but not really the big boys; SPORT Comment ANDREW GWILYM (Press Association)