nitty-gritty

American  

[nit-ee-grit-ee] / ˈnɪt iˈgrɪt i /

noun

1. the essential substance or details of a matter; basics; crux.

   Let's skip the chitchat and get down to the nitty-gritty.

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adjective

1. fundamental, detailed, or probing.

   nitty-gritty questions.

2. direct and practical.

   nitty-gritty advice; a nitty-gritty system.

nitty-gritty British  

/ ˈnɪtɪˈɡrɪtɪ /

noun

1. informal the basic facts of a matter, situation, etc; the core

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Etymology

Origin of nitty-gritty

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; rhyming compound of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nitty-gritty

Instead, the sisters are handling the nitty-gritty of their father’s career, from tracking sales of his art to working with scholars and curators to study and promote his art.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

“It’s like: Wait a minute, you’re starting to lose me on the nitty-gritty of this.”

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

When SpaceX reports quarterly earnings for the first time on Tuesday, investors are likely to focus their attention more on comments from CEO Elon Musk than on the financial nitty-gritty.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

While Brussels is setting out the nitty-gritty of the reforms it wants from Magyar, leaders will also be pushing for a new approach on Ukraine.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

The nitty-gritty factual stuff was his specialty, not mine.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin