nuts and bolts

noun

1. the essential or basic aspects.

   to learn the nuts and bolts of a new job.

nuts and bolts

plural noun

1. informal,  the essential or practical details

Other Word Forms

• nuts-and-bolts adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuts and bolts¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“Prime Minister” is not be that interested in wrangling, dealing and lawmaking, or even the nuts and bolts of her progressive views.

From Los Angeles Times

The tone swerve into body-count humor and the nuts and bolts of violence eventually prove too much for Crano and Craig to effectively mold into a comedy of perception and privilege.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Her firm, West Special Fasteners, makes nuts and bolts, and has been doing since 1999.

From BBC

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

From BBC