meat-and-potatoes

meat-and-potatoes

Concerned with or pertaining to the most basic or fundamental aspects of something. Too much information will overwhelm the new intern, so just give him the meat-and-potatoes introduction. The meat-and-potatoes argument is that the law will unfairly target lower-class workers.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

meat and potatoes

The fundamental part or parts of something, as in This paragraph is the meat and potatoes of the contract. This metaphoric term transfers what some regard as basic fare to the basics of an issue. [Mid-1900s]
See also: and, meat, potato
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

meat and potatoes

INFORMAL
The meat and potatoes of something are the most important and basic things about it or parts of it. American workwear is the meat and potatoes of off-duty clothing. The real meat and potatoes of any auto show is in the cars and trucks people can buy now.
See also: and, meat, potato
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

meat and potatoes

ordinary but fundamental things; basic ingredients.
1993 New York Times Mainstream rock acts like Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen are the meat and potatoes of A.O.R.
See also: and, meat, potato
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌmeat-and-poˈtatoes

(American English) dealing with or interested in the most basic and important aspects of something: a meat-and-potatoes argument My father always was a meat-and-potatoes man (= a person who likes simple things).
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

meat and potatoes

Informal
The fundamental parts or part; the basis.
See also: and, meat, potato
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • meat and potatoes
  • the meat and potatoes
  • encumber
  • encumber (someone or something) with (something)
  • encumber with
  • engulf
  • engulf in
  • engulf in (something)
  • get the best of (someone or something)
  • get/have the best of something