the lowdown on

Idioms  

1. The whole truth about something, as in We're waiting to hear the lowdown on what happened after we left. This term uses lowdown in the sense of “the basic or fundamental part.” [Slang; early 1900s]

---

Example Sentences

Here’s the lowdown on adviser fees, fund returns and what is driving client redemptions on Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Here’s the lowdown on home improvements for people with disabilities, and the expected costs for many of these projects.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2023

You can hear that royal back story and get the lowdown on the hall’s tricky acoustics in an hourlong tour.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2023

The Conversation asked five experts to provide the lowdown on what is at stake in key national votes in 2023.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2023

They can’t wait to give Marisol and Charlise the lowdown on how Darius apologized to them, but I head straight into my bedroom.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi