as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a meat-and-potatoes knowledge of figure skating is all that a spectator really needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
an article that never gets into the meat and potatoes of a solution to the city's rising crime rate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of meat-and-potatoes
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
These preparations go beyond the meat-and-potatoes approach, bringing a worldview to the table in memorable ways.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
That’s meat and potatoes y’all.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
Was Nansi simply a meat-and-potatoes, fourth-line player?
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
These preparations go beyond the meat-and-potatoes approach, bringing a worldview to the table in memorable ways.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Plural noun
Save as a collection on MyRecipes To some, the definition of a comforting dinner is meat and potatoes.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
That’s meat and potatoes y’all.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
-
As of now, a training center in Shandong is tutoring dozens of humanoids in basic tasks such as carrying trays, folding clothes, and retrieving water from shelves.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Overcrowding, abuse, and neglect have made conditions far worse, and basic agency oversight has been gutted.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The eldest Clyburn daughter, Abby (Beau Garrett), and her two children, 15-year-old Bridgette (Amiah Miller) and elementary-age Macy (Alaina Pollack), round out a family dynamic painted with broad, predictable strokes.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Children who are older-elementary age, parents must assess their development and functioning.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sign up now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 25% off the regular course price of $127 (plus tax).—
Michelle Le,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Nature Anywhere Window Bird Feeder Get acquainted with the neighborhood birds using this introductory bird feeder.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s infectious joy and wonder as the Eridian who will come to be known as Rocky begins communicating with Ryland, at first with rudimentary signals and then with more complex language once Ryland rigs a translation device.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The result is a kind of rudimentary, cyborg turtle hot rod.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Though Pollan hesitates to claim that a fundamental aspect of human capability and human experience remains beyond science’s reach, A World Appears closely maps out such a territory.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
-
One of the benefits of working with a consistent team is them really understanding the flow of the show, the fundamental restrictions and benefits of a venue like the Dolby, and how it can be captured on camera by our brilliant director, Hamish Hamilton.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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