meat-and-po·ta·toes
ˈmēt-ən(d)-pə-ˈtā-(ˌ)tōz 
1
: of fundamental importance : basic
also
: concerned with or emphasizing the basic aspects of something
2
: unpretentious, simple
a real meat-and-potatoes guy
3
: providing or preferring simple food (such as meat and potatoes)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the most interesting or fundamental part : meat sense 4
Synonyms
Examples of meat-and-potatoes in a Sentence
Adjective
a meat-and-potatoes knowledge of figure skating is all that a spectator really needs
Noun
an article that never gets into the meat and potatoes of a solution to the city's rising crime rate
Recent Examples on the Web
Sidney Steele, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025
O'Connell proposed a meat-and-potatoes spending plan that focused on infrastructure and building improvements.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
Haley Sawyer, Orange County Register, 31 Dec. 2024
From meat and potatoes, to salads, breads and even some desserts and drinks.
—Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The cake is rich, dense and deliciously spiced, and makes for a perfect finale to the meat-and-potatoes dinner.
—Sidney Steele, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025
O'Connell proposed a meat-and-potatoes spending plan that focused on infrastructure and building improvements.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
But at the end of the day, the decision still comes down to the meat and potatoes.
—Haley Sawyer, Orange County Register, 31 Dec. 2024
From meat and potatoes, to salads, breads and even some desserts and drinks.
—Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Dictionary Entries Near meat-and-potatoes
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share