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Definitions

heart of the matter

NOUN

nitty-gritty

Synonyms

STRONG

basics core essence focus fundamentals gist heart kernel meat quintessence reality root soul substance

WEAK

bottom line brass tacks chief part chief thing cold fact essential details essential part hard fact important matter meat and potatoes name of the game nuts and bolts the facts the name of the game

Antonyms

STRONG

exterior exteriority outside surface

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.

At the heart of the matter are longstanding rules that cap the number of households one broadcaster can reach.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

And then — the heart of the matter — curate a vibe.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

At the heart of the matter are credit-card interchange fees, which merchants pony up when shoppers pay with plastic.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

The larger issue at the beating heart of the matter is that this is a very cumbersome method of seeking accountability.

From Slate • Oct. 9, 2025

She took her time explaining the heart of the matter as she slipped her everyday bonnet from her head and substituted the flouncy, feathery one in its place.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

heart of the matter

Example Sentences

Related Words