get to the heart of

Find or determine the most important or essential facts or meaning. For example, It's important to get to the heart of the matter before we make any decisions. The noun heart has been used in the sense of “a vital part” since the early 1500s.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby get to the heart of

get through to, get to, get to first base, get to one's feet, get to the bottom of, get to the heart of, get to the point, get together, get tough with, get under one's skin, get under someone's skin
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.