sum and substance

noun

1. main idea, gist, or point:

   the sum and substance of an argument.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum and substance¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

The essence or gist of something, as in The sum and substance of their platform is financial conservatism . This redundant expression—both sum and substance here mean “essence”—has probably survived owing to alliteration. Shakespeare used it in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (4:1): “My riches are these poor habiliments [clothes], Of which if you should here disfurnish me, You take the sum and substance that I have.”

Example Sentences

“I don’t recall the exact words, but I do recall that in sum and substance he indicated that State Bar funds would not be used to pay for the trip to Mongolia,” said Miriam Krinsky, a former board member.

From Los Angeles Times

"Because Joe Biden was calling his son to check on him and Hunter Biden was calling his dad to check on him. It had nothing to do with business. And that is the sum and substance of what the testimony was."

From Salon

That was sum and substance of his justification for abolishing a power Congress had exercised for centuries.

From Slate

But for Muslims, it was Tuesday’s rite of praying at Arafat that represented the sum and substance of the Hajj.

From Seattle Times

That’s the sum and substance of what the Federalist Society stands for.

From Slate

Related Words

• analysis
• essence
• outline
• prospectus
• recap
• rehash
• review
• rundown
• sketch
• survey
• synopsis
• version