nitty-gritty

[ nit-ee-grit-ee ]

/ ˈnɪt iˈgrɪt i /

Slang.

the essential substance or details of a matter; basics; crux: Let's skip the chitchat and get down to the nitty-gritty.

fundamental, detailed, or probing: nitty-gritty questions.

direct and practical: nitty-gritty advice; a nitty-gritty system.

Origin of nitty-gritty

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

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

Feminist, Bae, Turnt: Time’s ‘Worst Words’ List Is Sexist and Racist |Samantha Allen |November 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In terms of the nitty-gritty of writing, George brings the skill set of being able to get it out on paper pretty quickly.

Grant Heslov Is the Robin to George Clooney’s Batman |Andrew Romano |February 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It gives a pleasant sense of transgression, of really being in the nitty-gritty.

‘Stupid Enough to Pay’: Tim Parks’s Italian Rail Adventures |Tim Parks |June 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
But have you heard about the actual 60 minutes of nitty-gritty playtime?

What Time is the Super Bowl? |Ilana Glazer |February 3, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Webb was never wild about some of the nitty-gritty aspects of elected office and was not a very assiduous fundraiser.

Olympia Snowe, Jim Webb, Ben Nelson, More Moderate Retiring Senators |Ben Jacobs |February 29, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

nitty-gritty

/ (ˈnɪtɪˈɡrɪtɪ) /

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

C20: perhaps rhyming compound formed from grit