Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1900-2000
Origin: Probably based on gritty

nitty-gritty

 noun
     
nit‧ty-grit‧ty informal

the nitty-gritty

the basic and practical facts of a subject or activity:
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and work out the costs.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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