substance

Related to substance: Pure substance

a (person) of substance

Someone who has a lot of power, money, or influence. I think my parents were disappointed that I chose not to marry a woman of substance, but they seem to have gotten over it. Despite being a humble shop owner, his interactions with every person of the community has made him a person of substance in the eyes of the people here.
See also: of, substance

catch not at the shadow and lose the substance

A warning against accepting something false, deceitful, shallow, or insubstantial in place of something true, meaningful, or valuable. In today's modern, materialistic world, you must catch not at the shadow and lose the substance.
See also: and, catch, lose, not, shadow, substance

controlled substance

A drug whose availability is limited by law. A: "I thought you could just find your medication on the shelf at the pharmacy." B: "Nah, I'm on a new one, and it's a controlled substance, so I have a prescription for it." I'm really glad I didn't follow in my brother's footsteps and become addicted to controlled substances.
See also: control, 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

in substance

1. Concerning or related to the essential elements; fundamentally or substantially. In substance, the proposed bill would reduce the amount of calories in meals served at school cafeterias, though the details of how this would be implemented aren't yet clear.
2. Actually; in reality. I was promoted to a managerial role in the restaurant, but in substance, I'm just a shift supervisor.
See also: substance

take the shadow for the substance

dated To accept something false, deceitful, shallow, or insubstantial in place of something true, meaningful, or valuable. (Said especially in religious lectures or sermons about shunning or being led away from faith or the dictates of the church.) In today's modern, materialistic world, it is all too easy to take the shadow for the substance.
See also: shadow, substance, take

the sum and substance

The central or most important idea, aspect, or part of something; the essence or summary of something. We don't have much time for this board meeting, so let's just get to the sum and substance straight away. The sum and substance of her argument is that a redistribution of wealth would spur the economy into huge gains.
See also: and, substance, sum
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

sum and substance

a summary; the gist. Can you quickly tell me the sum and substance of your proposal? In trying to explain the sum and substance of the essay, Thomas failed to mention the middle name of the hero.
See also: and, substance, sum
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in substance

1. In reality, essentially, as in The Archbishop of Salzburg was in substance a temporal authority as well. [Late 1300s]
2. In essence, basically, as in I don't remember all the details, but in substance this was the plan. [Late 1400s]
See also: substance

sum and substance

The essence or gist of something, as in The sum and substance of their platform is financial conservatism. This redundant expression-both sum and substance here mean "essence"-has probably survived owing to alliteration. Shakespeare used it in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (4:1): "My riches are these poor habiliments [clothes], Of which if you should here disfurnish me, You take the sum and substance that I have."
See also: and, substance, sum
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a woman, man, person, etc. of ˈsubstance

(formal) a person who is important, powerful or rich: In those days, a station master was a man of substance in the community.
See also: of, substance
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

sum and substance

The total essence of a matter. The sum in this cliché is not really necessary—substance covers the meaning quite well—but the appealing alliteration is probably what helped it survive. Shakespeare used it in Two Gentlemen of Verona (4.1), “My riches are these poor habiliments Of which, if you should disfurnish me, you take the sum and substance that I have.”
See also: and, substance, sum
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • influence
  • a (person) of substance
  • a woman, man, person, etc. of substance
  • wife up
  • marry below (one's) station
  • marry below (oneself)
  • marry below oneself
  • marry beneath (one's) station
  • marry beneath (oneself)
  • fussock
References in periodicals archive
According to Taiwan REACH, the scope applies to a chemical substance on its own, and in a mixture.
SGS Announces Taiwan Has Enacted Regulation on New and Existing Chemical Substances Registration
Miguel Martinez, Officer Robert Champagne and officers of the North Worcester County Drug Task Force and charged with illegal possession of a Class B substance, illegal possession of a Class A substance and knowingly being present where heroin is being kept;
Clinton Arrests
Misuse of drugs and alcohol refers to practice and behaviours that are inconsistent with the medical or legal purpose of that substance.
Watch for the signs of acute substance misuse; Substance misuse is often associated with younger generations but it is on the increase in both men and women over the age of 50. We spoke to the Royal College of Nursing Wales Nurse of the Year 2012, Louise Poley, a consultant nurse in substance misuse at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, about the rise in this growing problem
Substance abusers other than tobacco abuser attending Naya Jeevan Vyasan Mukti Kendra on Monday, Wednesday, Friday during OPD hours 11 AM to 12.30 PM and also admitted patients from 1st May to 31st August 2011 (4 months) were taken up for the study.
A study of socio-demographic profile of substance abusers other than tobacco abuse attending a de-addiction centre in Ahmedabad city
Another tip is to create a worksheet where you list the pros and cons of your substance use, SAMHSA says.
How to recognize the signs of substance abuse
In addition, social workers play a huge role in substance abuse treatment and service delivery (Burke & Clapp, 1997).
The missing link to child safety, permanency, and well-being: addressing substance misuse in child welfare
Results show that bullying is more common among middle-school students than those who attend high school, while substance use is more prevalent among high-school students.
Bullies are more likely to partake
Rodriguez-Pereyra points out that Descartes maintains "substance dualism" (no substance has both mental and material properties).
Philosophy of substance: a historical perspective
The terms substance abuse, substance use, substance misuse, dependence, or addiction are often mistakenly used interchangeably.
Traumatic brain injury and substance abuse
According to Dr Nabila al Wahaibi, the principal author of the study, among the patients seeking cessation therapy peer influences on the initiation of substance use were significant.
99% DRUG USERS SEEKING TREATMENT ARE MALES AND UNDER 30 YEARS: STUDY
The research indicates that the risk factors for substance use and for substance use disorder (SUD) differ to some extent.
Risk factors for substance use and substance use disorder differ
Ms Makgato said Batswana of all age groups were suffering and dying from using psychoactive substances. She added that it was not only those who were afflicted by substance use disorders who suffer, but their children, families, communities and the country at large.
Use of drugs concerns health minister
'Having listened to the accused, lawyers and the prosecutor, the court decides to order a reinvestigation of the case [and] requests for the result of the test on the confiscated substance and review of the relevant evidence,' Judge Seng Leang said yesterday.
'Uranium' court case to be reinvestigated
However, community living can be a potential source of substance abuse problems in this group.
Substance Abuse among People with Intellectual Disabilities: Areas of Future Research