root of the matter
The essential part or cause of something, as in We still don't understand what happened; we must get to the root of the matter. This expression was first recorded in the Bible (Job 19:28).
Words nearby root of the matter
root mean square,
root nodule,
root of lung,
root of nail,
root of penis,
root of the matter,
root of tongue,
root of tooth,
root of unity,
root out,
root position