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Brass tacks

Brass tacks

Meaning

Cockney rhyming slang for facts.

Examples

I’m telling you brass tacks mate. Florida is bigger than England.

Where did it originate?

Britain.

Where is it used?

Mostly Britain.

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Get down to brass tacks

Meaning

Concern yourself with the basic and important realities.

Examples

Were broke. This is no time for fanciful ideas – we need to get down to brass tacks and raise some money.

Where did it originate?

America, 19th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Brass tacks

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