sum and substance

noun

1. main idea, gist, or point:

   the sum and substance of an argument.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum and substance¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

The essence or gist of something, as in The sum and substance of their platform is financial conservatism . This redundant expression—both sum and substance here mean “essence”—has probably survived owing to alliteration. Shakespeare used it in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (4:1): “My riches are these poor habiliments [clothes], Of which if you should here disfurnish me, You take the sum and substance that I have.”

Related Words

• analysis
• essence
• outline
• prospectus
• recap
• rehash
• review
• rundown
• sketch
• survey
• synopsis
• version