gistgist /dʒɪst/ noun 
The gist of his argument is that full employment is impossible. Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist (=understand the main meaning) of it.
WORD ORIGINgist
Origin:
1700-1800 Anglo-French ‘it lies, it can be presented in a court of law’, from Old French gesir ‘to lie’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I don't know the whole story but this is the gist of it.
- Read the article once through to get the gist of it.
- Students are encouraged to read the text, getting the gist, then go deeper into the meaning.
- She had not misread the general gist of his words, imprecise though they were.
- She would not, was the gist of what she communicated first.
- The gist of all this is that life is an interactive phenomenon of planetary and biospheric scale.
- The gist of the section is that the product must be safe but the Act has no application if it is useless.
- The whole thing had to be repeated three or four times before Sandison got the gist.
- They had understood the gist but needed help.
Longman Language Activatorthe main ideas in a speech, piece of writing etc
the main ideas or the basic meaning of a speech, piece of writing etc: · I made a few notes of the main points I wanted to cover in the speech.· The following article explains four key points that all new investors should understand.
the general meaning of a speech, argument, piece of writing etc, without all the details: the gist of: · The gist of the article is that children should have more rights in deciding their own futures.get the gist (=understand the general meaning): · I couldn't hear everything they said but I got the gist.
the main aim or purpose of an argument, speech, or political action: · The whole thrust of the US policy was to isolate Cuba.· The thrust of the case is whether the federal law overrides the state ban.
the most important facts or ideas in a statement, for example in a description of events or a set of arguments or opinions: · When reduced to their essentials, most religions are not so different.essentials of: · She was always very quick to grasp the essentials of an opponent's argument.
the main meaning of something the main idea of an argument, discussion, statement etc that shows its general or most important meaning: the point of something: · The point of the story did not emerge until the end of the film.somebody's point: · What's your point? Do you think I'm not good enough for your daughter?miss the point (=not understand the main idea): · The talk was about symbolism in art -- Len missed the point and thought it was about painting techniques.the point is.... (=used for mentioning the most important thing): · The point is, you should have told me where you were going.come/get to the point (=to reach the most important part of what you want to say): · "I'll come straight to the point," said the doctor. "I think you are suffering from depression."
the main idea and meaning of something such as an article or a speech: the gist of something: · I don't know the whole story but this is the gist of it.get the gist (of something) (=understand the gist of something): · Read the article once through to get the gist of it.· Students are encouraged to read the text, getting the gist, then go deeper into the meaning.
the most important meaning of something such as an argument or piece of writing: the essence of something: · The essence of his argument is that human character is formed by society.
the main set of ideas involved in something such as an explanation, argument, or account of something: the drift of something: · The drift of his letter is that he wants to come back.catch/get/follow somebody's drift (=understand the basic idea of what someone is saying): · It was a complicated argument but I think I caught his drift.· I follow your drift, but I just don't believe it.
the most important message of an argument, explanation etc, especially when it consists of a set of connected ideas leading to a final answer or idea: the thrust of something: · It is difficult to argue with the thrust of Davidson's analysis of the situation.· The overall thrust of her argument was that women are still oppressed in all areas of life.
formal the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing: the substance of something: · The substance of Marx's views is the same in both of these books.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist (=understand the main meaning) of it.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist (=understand the main meaning) of it.· The whole thing had to be repeated three or four times before Sandison got the gist.· Just make sure I get the gist of what you really want.· She had said much more, and while he had not listened closely, he had got the gist.· In spite of the jargon, Sergeant Bradley appeared to have got the gist of what I'd said, so I signed dutifully.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
the gist the main idea and meaning of what someone has said or writtengist of- I couldn't hear everything they said but I got the gist.
- The gist of the article is that children should have more rights in deciding their own futures.
The gist of his argument is that full employment is impossible. Don’t worry about all the details as long as you get the gist (=understand the main meaning) of it.