get to the root of the problem

get to the root of the problem

To find or ascertain the cause of a particular problem or issue. The plumber has gotten to the root of the problem, and it doesn’t sound too costly to fix, thank goodness.
See also: get, of, problem, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • get at the root of the problem
  • find the root of the problem
  • determine
  • determine the root of the problem
  • figure out the root of the problem
  • work the problem
  • band-aid solution
  • solution
  • trouble shared is a trouble halved
  • no probs
References in periodicals archive
I had hoped you would get to the root of the problem and so judge whether a federation is the best alternative to a fully united one independent state with no borders and with equal rights for all its citizens thus leaving no exit for partition.
Not getting to the root of the problem