General
brass tacks
What does brass tacks mean?
The essential practical details once the small talk is over.
"Enough chit-chat, brass tacks: when can you start?"
Origin
Likely Cockney rhyming slang where 'brass tacks' rhymes with 'facts', though some trace it to upholstery or shop-counter tacks. The phrase crossed into mainstream American English long ago.
Frequently asked questions
What does brass tacks mean?
It means the basic facts or essential details. In Cockney, 'brass tacks' rhymes with 'facts'.
What does 'get down to brass tacks' mean?
It means to focus on the real, practical details and stop wasting time on the unimportant stuff.
Is brass tacks American or British?
Its likely origin is Cockney rhyming slang for 'facts', but it's been common in American English for well over a century.
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