when we got down to brass tacks vs when we got down to the brass tacks

Both phrases are correct, but the more common and idiomatic expression is 'when we got down to brass tacks' without the article 'the'. The inclusion of the article 'the' is not incorrect, but it is less commonly used in this expression.

Last updated: March 21, 2024

when we got down to brass tacks

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate getting to the essential or practical aspects of a situation or problem.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mar 18, 2014 ... Or maybe that was something for later in the discussion, when we got down to brass tacks. Still curious, I wandered over to the mSpy legal ...
Mar 6, 2013 ... When we got down to brass tacks with it, it didn't cost a dime.'' The thinking was that if a shooting can happen in a place like Newtown, which ...
Aug 10, 2015 ... When we got down to brass tacks, my executive leadership team only cared about sales-related metrics. My team was able to find the talent we ...
Aug 20, 2012 ... So when we got down to brass tacks over some barbecue (sadly for him, this was one arena where he could not brag his way past Texas), ...

Alternatives:

when we got down to the nitty-gritty
when we got down to the basics
when we got down to the essentials
when we got down to the heart of the matter
when we got down to business

when we got down to the brass tacks

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is also used to indicate getting to the essential or practical aspects of a situation or problem, but it is less common than the version without the article 'the'.

Show examples from the web [+]

But when we got down to the brass tacks of executing the wax and shaping my eyebrows and lip hair removal she was having a myriad of difficulties. She ran at ...
But when we got down to the brass tacks of executing the wax and shaping my eyebrows and lip hair removal she was having a myriad of difficulties. She ran ...
It did take a little longer when we got down to the brass tacks of getting everything we wanted at the price we wanted. But by the time we got to Cathy Fraley, ...

Alternatives:

when we got down to brass tax
when we got down to the nitty-gritty
when we got down to the basics
when we got down to the essentials
when we got down to the heart of the matter

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when we got down to brass tacks vs when we got down to the brass tacks