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
Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Wahlberg was a 20-something bad boy who took a more meat-and-potatoes (or Peter Berg and Peter Berg) route to popular success.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 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
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
Wahlberg was a 20-something bad boy who took a more meat-and-potatoes (or Peter Berg and Peter Berg) route to popular success.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 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
-
The war displaced most of the Palestinian population of more than 2 million, left large parts of the territory in rubble and created widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies asGaza’s border crossings — all but one controlled by Israel — were shut.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
The Advanced Driver Assistance System is basic lane centering (see video above for more).—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
In recent years, however, the number of students that needed to take the class exploded—from 32 in 2020 to 665 in 2025—and deficiencies have become so bad that the course had to be redesigned to cover middle school and even elementary level skills.—
Adam B. Summers,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Amid a national push to reduce screen time in schools, elementary and middle school students report less of their free time is spent reading.—
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
For someone testing the category, the cheapest move is usually a promotional bundle or a single introductory drip.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Less than $60 will get you a perfectly good introductory toaster oven, while spending up to $100 will add many of the bonus features that could be important to you.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Decision makers that prepare themselves with some rudimentary understanding of the types and models of AI, and ask the right questions of the solutions presented to them, are often better positioned to make a difference for their institution.—
Troy Holaday,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
But the filmic quality of the album lies less in any conventionally cinematic progression and more in Rossetto’s ability to imbue even the most rudimentary sounds with vivid detail and perspective.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools faced mounting pressure to raise test scores, creating a fundamental tension between learning time and and play time.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
For a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately entirely clear, there was a comprehensive and fundamental breakdown in access to the stadium that left many exasperated or furious.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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