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View synonyms for nitty-gritty

nitty-gritty

[ nit-ee-grit-ee ]

noun

  1. the essential substance or details of a matter; basics; crux:

    Let's skip the chitchat and get down to the nitty-gritty.



adjective

  1. fundamental, detailed, or probing:

    nitty-gritty questions.

  2. direct and practical:

    nitty-gritty advice; a nitty-gritty system.

nitty-gritty

/ ˈnɪtɪˈɡrɪtɪ /

noun

  1. the nitty-gritty informal.
    the nitty-gritty the basic facts of a matter, situation, etc; the core


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Word History and Origins

Origin of nitty-gritty1

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; rhyming compound of uncertain origin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nitty-gritty1

C20: perhaps rhyming compound formed from grit

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Example Sentences

The dramatic popularization of a phrase like “nitty-gritty” demonstrates that language is always changing across social contexts.

In terms of the nitty-gritty of writing, George brings the skill set of being able to get it out on paper pretty quickly.

It gives a pleasant sense of transgression, of really being in the nitty-gritty.

Obviously, Obama is not going to get into the nitty gritty of implementation.

But have you heard about the actual 60 minutes of nitty-gritty playtime?

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