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
-
Superintendents like Gearing have decried the state for not increasing its basic allotment — the base level building block for the school finance system — since 2019.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
But in the brave new world of agentic AI, such basic checks won’t be enough to catch AI agents wandering around the internet to do tasks on their owners’ behalf.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
By starting early with high school and even elementary education, institutions can introduce students to the importance of natural resources and the role of mining in the energy transition.—
Ed Macha,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Breakfasts will cost $1.50 for elementary students and $1.75 for intermediate and high school students.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Head coach of Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
The apparent deletion was noticed on social media the same day that comments from Krauskopf's introductory press conference resurfaced.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Few technologies, and certainly few so rudimentary in design and execution, have done more for the betterment of the world than shipping containers.—
Tony Morley,
National Review,
25 July 2025
-
This is the most simple kind of AI agent that basically provides a rudimentary function.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
One answer to think about is this fundamental fact that nature itself is quantum.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Perhaps the hot streak is masking some of the fundamental flaws of this roster.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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