get the gist

get the gist

To understand the central, essential, or general matter of something, such as an argument, speech, concept, process, etc., without being proficient in the more specific details. A: "Did you understand what she was saying?" B: "My Japanese isn't great anymore, but I think I got the gist of it." Bob: "Are you sure you understand what's involved?" Steve: "Yeah, yeah, I get the gist."
See also: get
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • in (one's) element
  • in element
  • in one's element
  • in your element
  • be in (one's) element
  • element
  • (Someone or something) called, they want their (something) back!
  • be (one's) man/woman
  • practice makes perfect
  • practise
References in periodicals archive
Stephen Bourke was responsible for the first two home in the second heat with Mustang Mission getting the better of Get The Gist.
Turbo motors in Grand Prix
Well, you get the gist if you've seen virtually any of Woody Allen's '80s ensemble comedies, let alone Love Actually.
Memory and mangos: the comedy Goldfish Memory is a charming pansexual romp, while Mango Kiss goes where few lesbian films dare
It took me about 20 seconds to get the gist of it, with some girl trapping some boy into marriage by getting pregnant, even though the baby may not be his and she was a hick from the sticks and he the son of a Beverly Hills millionaire.
Karen Dunbar column: My breakfast TV serial..
Although this would seem to contradict the earlier advice, you do want your reader to get the gist of your message before he goes hyperlinking off into cyberspace.
Winning the hearts - or at least the eyes - of the online audience