PhrasesHub

get down to the brass tacks

    Definitions

      • focus on essential details
        To start discussing or dealing with the most important aspects or facts of a situation

      • get to the point
        To stop wasting time and start discussing or dealing with the main issue or task at hand

    Examples of get down to the brass tacks

    • During the board meeting, the CEO asked everyone to get down to the brass tacks and discuss the financial reporting procedures for the upcoming quarter.

      This idiom means to address the most important and essential aspects of a situation, cutting through unnecessary details or discussion. In this example, the CEO wants the board members to focus on the financial reporting procedures instead of indulging in lengthy discussions unrelated to the topic.

    • After a long and drawn-out argument, it was time to get down to the brass tacks and find a resolution.

      This idiom can also be used to indicate that it's time to address the core issues of a dispute or conflict instead of continuing to argue about minor details.

    • The writer asked his editor to get down to the brass tacks and provide a concise and critical analysis of the book manuscript.

      This idiom is commonly used by writers to ask their editors to focus solely on the critical and important aspects of the manuscript, without getting bogged down in superficial or unimportant details.

    • The manager called a meeting to get down to the brass tacks and discuss the company's profit and loss statements.

      This idiom can also be used to refer to financial matters, as in this example, where the manager wants to address the financial results of the company instead of getting distracted by other matters. The phrase "get down to the brass tacks" emphasizes the need to handle important business matters with clarity and focus.

    • In the meeting, the CEO finally got down to the brass tacks and outlined the company's financial goals for the next quarter.

      This example shows how the idiom "get down to the brass tacks" is used in a business context to mean focusing on the most important and crucial aspects of a situation, usually related to making decisions, taking action, and achieving results. The verb "outlined" is used here because it indicates the CEO providing a clear and concise explanation of the financial goals, which is a key characteristic of getting down to the brass tacks. Overall, this example highlights the importance of cutting through any unnecessary details or distractions to get straight to the heart of a matter.

    • After a lot of small talk, my friend finally got down to the brass tacks and asked me to return the borrowed sweater.

      In this example, "get down to the brass tacks" is used outside of a business context, illustrating that the idiom can be applied to any situation where a person wants to stop beating around the bush and get to the main point. The request to return the borrowed sweater is a straightforward and specific request, which is exactly what comes to mind when you think of getting down to the brass tacks. The phrase "borrowed sweater" may seem trivial, but it underlines the significance of the moment when a person decides to stop dancing around the issue and address it directly.

    • The sales advisor guided us through the car-buying process and got down to the brass tacks of negotiating the price.

      This example provides an illustration of how the idiom "get down to the brass tacks" could be used in a sales context. Here, the sales advisor is helping the customer through the buying process, but the "getting down to the brass tacks" moment comes when they start negotiating the price of the car. This stage involves focusing on the critical aspects of the transaction and making decisions about the cost and payment. The word "negotiating" itself signifies the importance of this process, which is essential to getting down to the brass tacks.

    • She got down to the brass tacks of her health problems and started looking into alternative therapies.

      This example is unique in that it illustrates using "get down to the brass tacks" in a personal context, where the person is dealing with a complex problem that requires direct and focused attention. Here, the speaker has identified the root causes of her health problems and is taking active steps towards addressing them. The use of "alternative therapies" shows that she is seeking solutions beyond the traditional medical procedures, which is a vital aspect of getting down to the brass tacks when dealing with health issues. The word "started" indicates that this is a new course of action, and she is now actively working towards a resolution.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "get down to the brass tacks" is used to emphasize the need to focus on essential details or to get to the point without wasting time on irrelevant matters. It is often used in discussions or tasks where it is important to address the most important aspects or facts of a situation.

    This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as business meetings, negotiations, or even everyday conversations when someone wants to emphasize the need to focus on the main issue at hand. It is a straightforward way to convey the importance of addressing the essential details or getting to the heart of the matter.

    Origin of "get down to the brass tacks"

    The origin of the idiom "get down to the brass tacks" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. The phrase is thought to have originated from the upholstery trade, where brass tacks were used as decorative elements on furniture. When upholsterers would start a new project, they would remove all the old fabric and get down to the brass tacks, which were the essential parts of the furniture.

    Over time, the idiom evolved to be used in a more figurative sense, referring to the need to address the essential or most important parts of a situation. The use of "brass tacks" in the idiom reflects the idea of getting to the bottom of something or addressing the core details. Today, the idiom is widely used in English to emphasize the need to focus on essential details or to get to the point without wasting time.