warp and woof

1. The essential foundation or base of any structure or organization; from weaving, in which the warp — the threads that run lengthwise — and the woof — the threads that run across — make up the fabric: “The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the warp and woof of the American nation.”

Idioms and Phrases

The underlying structure or foundation of something, as in He foresaw great changes in the warp and woof of the nation's economy . This expression, used figuratively since the second half of the 1500s, alludes to the threads that run lengthwise ( warp ) and crosswise ( woof ) in a woven fabric.

Example Sentences

Language is the warp and woof of our social fabric.

From The Guardian

Most of these considerations will be beside the point if you’re a fan of the verbal warp and woof of Caspe’s method — the enveloping fabric of one-liners, insults, puns and, especially, references that register as jokes simply by virtue of their surprise value.

From New York Times

There was a lot that was left out of those books, on women and minorities, and on the warp and woof of daily life.

From Washington Post

Amusingly and effectively, for a vocalist who’s never needed much help with her pitch, many of her bars even use a smattering of Auto-Tune to import a more contemporary warp and woof.

From Slate

"Mosaic" ends with a movement called "The warp and woof."

From Los Angeles Times