get down to brass tacks

G

get down to brass tacks

Meaning

• talk about the important things
• get down to the basic facts and realities
• get serious about something
• talk about the real issue or problem

Example Sentences

1. We have been chatting around for quite some time. Let’s get down to brass tacks and discuss what we are really here for.
2. They finally got down to brass tacks and discussed the issue that was really bothering them.
3. After exchanging pleasantries with each other, the heads of the two companies got down to brass tacks and discussed the terms for the proposed merger.
4. It is time to stop beating about the bush and get down to brass tacks.
5. Let’s get down to brass tacks right away and wrap up this discussion quickly. There’s no use wasting time discussing other things.
6. We should get down to brass tacks and discuss how we can finish this project on time.
7. Without wasting much time, they got down to brass tacks and soon emerged with a solution that was acceptable to everyone.
8. The family got down to brass tacks and discussed the issue of inheritance as he had left no will.

Origin
The phrase originated in USA in about the 1860s and the first printed record is from the Texas newspaper The Tri-Weekly Telegraph in January 1863.