warp and woof
noun
: foundation, base
the vigorous Anglo-Saxon base had become the warp and woof of English speech—
H. R. Warfel
H. R. WarfelExamples of warp and woof in a Sentence
regards individual freedom and democracy as the warp and woof of any civilized society
Recent Examples on the Web
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Those years are sprinkled into the warp and woof of every life phase, from longer childhoods, to ‘emerging adulthoods’ to the quickly-multiplying phases of active adulthood and emerging elderhood.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Pat Tyler’s homespun frocks, as well as smart suits for the city slickers of Asheville, mesh beautifully with the warp and woof of the people of bluegrass country.
—Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2019
All that was needed was the warp and woof of speaker dresses, rather than the big loudspeakers on stage, which suddenly seemed so 20th century.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 18 Apr. 2018
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Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Those years are sprinkled into the warp and woof of every life phase, from longer childhoods, to ‘emerging adulthoods’ to the quickly-multiplying phases of active adulthood and emerging elderhood.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Pat Tyler’s homespun frocks, as well as smart suits for the city slickers of Asheville, mesh beautifully with the warp and woof of the people of bluegrass country.
—Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2019
All that was needed was the warp and woof of speaker dresses, rather than the big loudspeakers on stage, which suddenly seemed so 20th century.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 18 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Warp and woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warp%20and%20woof. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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