Synonyms

nuts and bolts

American

noun

the essential or basic aspects.

to learn the nuts and bolts of a new job.

nuts and bolts British

plural noun

informal the essential or practical details

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

nuts-and-bolts adjective

Etymology

Origin of nuts and bolts

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Also, that the nuts and bolts for the on-board camera are screwed tight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

His focus on nuts and bolts makes him a popular blue governor in a very red state.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Though financial therapy is increasing in popularity, it doesn’t necessarily get down to the nuts and bolts of your finances.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2025

He also extended the levies to include hundreds of metal products from nuts and bolts to drinks cans.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

And the baby food jars filled with nuts and bolts in her father’s garage.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023