nitty-gritty
/nɪtɪˈɡrɪti
/noun (the nitty-gritty) informal
The most important aspects or practical details of a subject or situation: let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of finding a job [as modifier]: the nitty-gritty details...
- Kevin's all over the nitty-gritty details of the relevant documents.
- It's time to break out of that shell and deal with the nitty-gritty details of your relationships.
- There are other issues coming up as they work through the nitty-gritty details of this plan.
Synonyms
basics, essentials, essence, essential part, main point, fundamental point, fundamentals, substance, heart of the matter, nub, core, heart, centre, quintessence, point, crux, gist, salient point, focal point, nucleus, meat, pith, kernel, marrow, burden;
hard work, slog, toil, labour, donkey work, drudgery
informal brass tacks, nuts and bolts
Origin
1960s: of unknown origin.