form and substance

form and substance

The structure and content of something, such as a creative work. I found her short story fascinating in form and substance.
See also: and, form, substance
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

form and substance

structure and meaningful content. The first act of the play was one screaming match after another. It lacked form and substance throughout. Jane's report was good. The teacher commented on the excellent form and substance of the paper.
See also: and, form, substance
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • take form
  • in no way, shape, or form
  • transmute
  • transmute (something) from (something)
  • transmute (something) to (something)
  • form up into (something)
  • life after death
  • transmute (something) into (something)
  • true to form
  • froth up
References in classic literature
A certain influence of mathematics both on the form and substance of their philosophy is discernible in both of them.
Leila de Lima was sufficient in form and substance, Sen.
Lacson said a simple majority of the seven-man committee would decide on the sufficiency in form and substance of the complaint filed by a lawyer over De Lima's alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
In addition, It ruled acceptance of appeal submitted by Saud Mohammad and the Public Prosecution in form and substance by terminating the appealed decision regarding his accusation and acquitting him from assigned charges.
The Karns court stated that Erickson Post was materially distinguishable, because the transaction in that case was a loan in both form and substance. However, the Karns court does not explain how it reached a different result as to the transaction's substance.
An Argument for a Mere Distinction of Reason between Substantial Form and Substance. I believe that there is one powerful argument for a mere distinction of reason between the substantial form and the individual substance.
Because the arrangement was an option in form and substance, Freddie Mac had properly deferred including the commitment fees in gross income until the date the options were exercised or lapsed; see Old Harbor Native Corp.
According to the court's analysis, risk shifting must be present in both form and substance. Insurance contracts must be written, premiums transferred and losses paid.
Under the Tax Court's "pooling" concept, an insurance relationship exists if the captive insures a substantial amount of unrelated risk and the transaction in both form and substance is insurance.