sum and substance
1 of 1phrase/ˈsʌm ənd ˈsʌbstəns/
1
the main idea of something, often after removing extra details
- The sum and substance of his argument was that we needed more funding.
- After an hour of discussion, the sum and substance was that nothing would change.
- The reporter captured the sum and substance of the meeting in a single paragraph.
- The lawyer boiled down the contract to its sum and substance for the client.
- Her summary conveyed the sum and substance without unnecessary jargon.