nitty-gritty

noun

nit·​ty-grit·​ty ˌni-tē-ˈgri-tē How to pronounce nitty-gritty (audio)
ˈni-tē-ˌgri-
: what is essential and basic : specific practical details
get down to the nitty-gritty of the problem
nitty-gritty adjective

Examples of nitty-gritty in a Sentence

the governor tends to leave the nitty-gritty of running the state government to others a look at the nitty-gritty aspects of putting out a newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the movie doesn’t provide much nitty-gritty on how Vera develops as an entrepreneur beyond speaking in English and pretending to be calling from London. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 Ask them about their experience and absorb every nitty-gritty detail. Lucie Hanes, Outside Online, 18 Jan. 2025 The promise of regulatory cuts may prove more compelling as a declaration of war against the status quo than a nitty-gritty elimination of individual rules, experts said. Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2024 Yet to be hashed out are some nitty-gritty details. Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 Consult with a mental health professional for the true nitty-gritty. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 The record is nitty-gritty garage-rock and sweaty alt-country under the haze of neon barroom lights. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024 The Electoral College nitty-gritty The margins in all these swing states are extremely tight. Andrew Prokop, Vox, 3 Sep. 2024 These sorts of specific, nitty-gritty details are not well suited for congressional legislation or a judge’s decision. Meredith Moore, Scientific American, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitty-gritty was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near nitty-gritty

Cite this Entry

“Nitty-gritty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitty-gritty. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

nitty-gritty

noun
nit·​ty-grit·​ty
ˈnit-ē-ˌgrit-ē,
ˌnit-ē-ˈgrit-ē
: what is essential and basic
the nitty-gritty of the problem
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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