Synonyms of nitty-gritty

nounThe core or essence of something; the gist.

• brass tacks
• nuts and boltsThe basic inner workings of something; the fundamentals; that which makes something operate.
• bowelsThe concept or quality that defines something at its very core.
• sumA central idea or point; gist.
• core
• cruxThe basic, central, or essential point or feature.
• essence
• gist
• drift
• gutsThe essential, core parts.
• gravamenThe essence or most important aspect of a piece of writing, a point of argument, etc.; the gist.
• heartThe centre, essence, or core.
• heart and soulThe core of a thing; the most essential or important part.
• kernelThe core, center, or essence of an object or system.
• marrowThe essence; the best part.
• meatThe best or most substantial part of something.
• moral of the storyThe key lesson or message that an incident, situation or other happening conveys; a general takeaway point.
• nubThe essence or core of an issue, argument etc.
• pith figurativelyThe essential or vital part of something; the essence.
• punctum saliensStarting point, source; gist.
• quintessenceThe essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
• soul
• spirit
• stuff
• substance
• tenor
• heartstring archaicThe essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart.
• heartstrings archaicThe essential or vital part of something; the core, the essence, the heart.
• inwardness obsoleteThe internal or true state; the essential nature.