meat-and-potatoes 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmēt-ən(d)-pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tōz How to pronounce meat-and-potatoes (audio)
Definition of meat-and-potatoesnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

meat and potatoes

2 of 2

plural noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
Then, just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker for a seriously delicious meat-and-potatoes meal with carrots and celery added. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026 Some want a big old meat-and-potatoes meal, some dream of a sushi omakase extravaganza. — ABC News, 17 June 2026
Plural noun
The premise that Valerie must keep that AI secret from the rest of her cast, and from the industry as a whole, gives this season a solid comedic game and allows for the kind of misunderstandings and humiliations that are the meat and potatoes of classic situation comedy. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Viewed as a playmaker in the middle of the park, Boudri is expected to add flair and creativity to a midfield group that was more meat and potatoes in 2025. — Josh Gross, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
  1. basic
  2. elementary
  3. introductory
  4. rudimentary
  5. fundamental
Adjective
  • But the pueblo blanco of Casares makes a good day trip, though meals are on the basic side in the town’s restaurants and cafes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • Some of those had major errors, like a hand with six fingers and clocks with numbers in the wrong places, both of which were approved lesson plans for elementary classrooms.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Saint followed her sister to Bowling Green State University in Ohio and majored in elementary education.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • Could younger athletes attend an introductory session before formal evaluation?
    — Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But still, this felt different — as Gray himself noted in his moving introductory remarks, reflecting on growing up a few miles away from the Upper West Side.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of introductory
Adjective
  • The kitchenette is rudimentary with a mini fridge, stovetop (no oven), a sink, and a few cooking essentials, including two different coffee makers.
    — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This sort of classification task is something that rudimentary AI, or machine learning systems, have handled for decades.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • The 2026 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to Henri Kagan of the Universite Paris-Sud, in France, and Kenso Soai of the Tokyo University of Science, in Japan, for their work exploring the fundamental geometry of molecules.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Unless there's a dramatic fundamental change in the dynamic, Democrats are on pace to capture the Senate and House majorities in November.
    — Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of fundamental

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meat-and-potatoes
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Cite this Entry

“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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