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
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
In the meantime, their meat-and-potatoes Mustang’s a 2025 banger.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
But there’s a case to be made that Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s family drama Purpose, which has picked up steam after a Pulitzer win, is more meat-and-potatoes Tony fare.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Before long, former Top Chef champ Cécile is back slinging meat-and-potatoes at her parents’ roadside truck stop and rekindling old flames with her country-boy ex, Raphaël (Bastien Bouillon).
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
The only cooking required is the hands-off step of simmering the farro, and the combination of flavors and textures will likely win over even the most meat-and-potatoes of diners.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Scot McCloughan is a meat-and-potatoes kind of scout.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The first is a new coach in Craig Berube, who has his team playing a meat-and-potatoes style that will supposedly fit well in a playoff setting.
—Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Still, neither brings the kind of meat-and-potatoes hockey that Tanev does.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The streaming era has prioritized breaking from, or at least playing around with, TV norms, but these kinds of meat-and-potatoes offerings can be as satisfying as shows with wilder ambitions.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
In the meantime, their meat-and-potatoes Mustang’s a 2025 banger.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
But there’s a case to be made that Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s family drama Purpose, which has picked up steam after a Pulitzer win, is more meat-and-potatoes Tony fare.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Before long, former Top Chef champ Cécile is back slinging meat-and-potatoes at her parents’ roadside truck stop and rekindling old flames with her country-boy ex, Raphaël (Bastien Bouillon).
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
The only cooking required is the hands-off step of simmering the farro, and the combination of flavors and textures will likely win over even the most meat-and-potatoes of diners.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Scot McCloughan is a meat-and-potatoes kind of scout.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The first is a new coach in Craig Berube, who has his team playing a meat-and-potatoes style that will supposedly fit well in a playoff setting.
—Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Still, neither brings the kind of meat-and-potatoes hockey that Tanev does.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
-
But unlike the basic Shahed which relies entirely on satellite navigation, the MS001 can identify objects on the ground using its thermal imager and AI and attack them.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The state's health insurance plans offer premium, classic and basic Health Advantage plans to state and public school employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the fastest-growing districts in the state, Leander ISD operates dozens of elementary, middle and high schools.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
There are indications that students who had to attend school at the elementary and high school level were noticeably behind where other students would have been at that same point in their education.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Over its introductory weekend in theaters, the third Man of Steel reboot released this millennium sold $125 million in tickets in North America.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
-
In its history, over 2.5 million young people have taken a free introductory flight through Young Eagles.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
It is conducted by individuals or small groups using basic tools and rudimentary machinery.—
Marian Selorm Sapah,
Space.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
As his 306-page report concludes, the Clinton campaign was principally responsible for fabricating the story, and the FBI was recklessly irresponsible in opening a full investigation and using the dossier in court without rudimentary verification steps.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
There are numerous factors that could prevent Crocs stock from bouncing back: The Growth Narrative Is Broken: The drop from 20% to 3% growth indicates that something fundamental has shifted.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Transparency is fundamental to accountability for journalists and opinion columnists like me.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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