sum and substance

American  

noun

1. main idea, gist, or point.

   the sum and substance of an argument.

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sum and substance Idioms  

1. 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.”

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Etymology

Origin of sum and substance

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sum and substance

That was sum and substance of his justification for abolishing a power Congress had exercised for centuries.

From Slate ● Jul. 19, 2023

But for Muslims, it was Tuesday’s rite of praying at Arafat that represented the sum and substance of the Hajj.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 27, 2023

"The tax is in sum and substance one quarter of one percent, it's nothing," Steck said in a phone interview.

From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2021

Eons ago, these were the sum and substance of man’s prescription for pain relief.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2016

With Collingwood he had one conversation on the launch, but the sum and substance was that gentleman’s reiteration of the terms on which he would live.

From The Locusts' Years by Fee, Mary Helen

Related Words

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