meat-and-potatoes 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmēt-ən(d)-pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tōz How to pronounce meat-and-potatoes (audio)
Definition of meat-and-potatoesnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

meat and potatoes

2 of 2

plural noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
Then, just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker for a seriously delicious meat-and-potatoes meal with carrots and celery added. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 Some want a big old meat-and-potatoes meal, some dream of a sushi omakase extravaganza. — ABC News, 17 June 2026
Plural noun
Cooked meat and potatoes were found in a cold holding unit at 65 to 70 degrees for around three hours without temperatures being measured through the process. — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026 Viewed as a playmaker in the middle of the park, Boudri is expected to add flair and creativity to a midfield group that was more meat and potatoes in 2025. — Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
  1. basic
  2. elementary
  3. introductory
  4. rudimentary
  5. fundamental
Adjective
  • There’s no such thing as a basic room here; even the smallest ones, at 240 to 260 square feet, look out over the bluffs to whitecaps winking in the sun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • For the new fiscal year, the NSF’s budget is proposed to be cut in half, along with large budget cuts in most areas of basic science, including medical science at the National Institutes of Health.
    — Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • For instance, in 1970 the mathematician John Conway introduced the Game of Life, where an elementary set of rules governing the movement of pixels on a screen leads to remarkably rich ecosystems.
    — Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Research from a Texas Christian University professor shows elementary students who get an hour of outdoor play daily perform better in the classroom.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • Nihon University German film professor Shibuya Tetsuya, who gave an introductory lecture on German cinema, noted that the film even features a vegetarian vampire.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Northwestern women’s basketball coach Carla Berube speaks during an introductory news conference March 31, 2026, at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of introductory
Adjective
  • But the impact of these scenes is undercut by the fact that if Matt is a two-dimensional character, at best, everyone around him is one-dimensional and rudimentary.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • My Arabic, French, and Berber language skills are also rudimentary.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • The Democrat is running for Precinct 2 commissioner to create a government that works for everyday people, prioritizing lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The forcefulness of their singing conveys desperation, but preempts so much of the nuance that enlivens their songs—the fundamental regret in their voice grinding against the fundamental determination.
    — Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fundamental

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Cite this Entry

“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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