nuts and bolts

American  

noun

1. the essential or basic aspects.

   to learn the nuts and bolts of a new job.

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nuts and bolts British  

plural noun

1. informal the essential or practical details

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Other Word Forms

• nuts-and-bolts adjective

Etymology

Origin of nuts and bolts

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Theo Francis covers how U.S. companies work behind the scenes for The Wall Street Journal, from Washington: executive pay, perks, workplace and retirement, accounting, disclosure — the nuts and bolts most people don't see.

From The Wall Street Journal

But China has a broad supply chain of manufacturers that make the nuts and bolts of humanoids, including sensors, batteries and other components.

From The Wall Street Journal

His focus on nuts and bolts makes him a popular blue governor in a very red state.

From Los Angeles Times

"Those 10 years at Torness were fundamental to me understanding the nuts and bolts of what a nuclear power station is," she says.

From BBC

After research in the BMW archives to figure out what needed to be done, I replaced all the nuts and bolts with factory-looking originals.

From The Wall Street Journal