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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of meat-and-potatoes
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
When working in that vein, Barnett’s journeys through self-doubt are well-matched with the stomping, meat-and-potatoes indie-rock production that Burke Reid and Dan Luscombe brought to her first two albums.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
For a front office that routinely overthinks the room, this is dangerously close to a competent, meat-and-potatoes haul.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
When working in that vein, Barnett’s journeys through self-doubt are well-matched with the stomping, meat-and-potatoes indie-rock production that Burke Reid and Dan Luscombe brought to her first two albums.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
Plural noun
While the meat and potatoes of this outfit—a baggy T-shirt and button-down with khakis—are total dad staples, the mix feels cool and purposeful.
—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
-
From bold color contrast to sheer layering and retro prints, caftans can be styled far beyond a basic beach coverup.
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The lawsuit comes as consumers report struggling to afford basic necessities.
Adjective
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Police were called to the elementary and middle school, and authorities are now working to identify the deceased individual.
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Biblical texts on the list include a picture-book adaptation of the David and Goliath story for elementary students and passages about Adam and Eve for older students.
Adjective
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Consider starting each rule section with a positive introductory statement.
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The introductory course for PPEL required students to read, on average, just twenty-seven pages a week.
Adjective
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Many are rudimentary and low-stakes, but the meaningful ones are still buried within the total volume.
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But before long, professors complained that incoming freshmen lacked even rudimentary math skills.
Adjective
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But there are ample more fundamental reasons to add capacity.
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Although relatively few technical details about the Common Combat Vessel have been released, the decision signals a fundamental change in how the Royal Navy intends to build and operate its future surface fleet.
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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