Idiom
get down to brass tacks
Meanings
To begin dealing with the most important practical details of a plan, problem, or discussion.
Definition
To get down to brass tacks means to start talking about the most important, practical details of something.
If you get down to brass tacks, you stop general discussion and focus on the facts, specifics, and next steps. It often happens after small talk, brainstorming, or vague plans. The phrase is commonly used in meetings, negotiations, and problem-solving conversations.
Examples
- We’ve talked enough—let’s get down to brass tacks and set a budget.
- After a few minutes of introductions, the manager got down to brass tacks.
- If you want this to work, we need to get down to brass tacks about deadlines.
- They finally got down to brass tacks and agreed on the contract terms.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this idiom for “relax” or “calm down,” but it means to focus on practical details, not emotions.
More at C1 level
- Monday morning quarterback A "Monday morning quarterback" is someone who criticizes or judges a decision after the outcome is …
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- come hell or high water Used to emphasize that you will do something no matter what difficulties happen.
- brass monkeys “Brass monkeys” is used in the phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” meaning…
- not cricket Used to say that something is unfair, dishonest, or not acceptable.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.