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