getting the gist of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting the gist of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express understanding the main idea or essence of something, often in a simplified manner. Example: "After reading the article, I feel like I'm getting the gist of the author's argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When Ms. Judd apologized for the attenuated effort at getting the gist of the opinion, Mr. Jennings stopped her.

The New York Times

"How's that song go?" Royal, now 85, said in 2005, getting the gist of the Bob Dylan '60s anthem.

The New York Times - Sports

Paddy, getting the gist of it, quoted poetry in an ironic voice: " 'Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.' " "Signor Keats, I do believe," Nigel said.

The New Yorker

Wednesday night and throughout Thursday, Mr. Michaels exchanged e-mails with Mr. Downey, getting the gist of his idea that Mr. Obama would be distracted by the fact that he had forgotten to buy his wife an anniversary present.

The New York Times

One Tati trademark is to use speech not as dialogue proper, but as sound effect: Playtime is a lot funnier without subtitles, as the pleasure lies in getting the gist of what people are saying, and how, rather than catching their literal meaning.

The Guardian - Film

He wanted to drive a fiendishly difficult course in Finland and he spent the first 45 minutes of the show gearing up for that task, by throwing a hideously overpowered Mini Metro around a track, learning to corner at speed in a Japanese supercar and getting the gist of throttle control on a motocross bike.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"They don't get the gist of a situation.

The New York Times - Health

I don't get the gist of closure.

The New York Times - Style

"I wanted them to get the gist of what Glen Cove is about".

The New York Times

Similarly, I've not seen Twilight but I get the gist of it from media coverage.

The Guardian - Tech

It's not perfect, but you'll get the gist of that spam from Russia.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, "getting the gist of" is preferable to use cases when highly specific technical terms must be used.

Common error

Avoid using "getting the gist of" in formal academic papers or technical reports where precise language and detailed analysis are expected. Opt for phrases that convey a deeper, more comprehensive understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting the gist of" functions as a verb phrase acting as a verbal that typically takes a direct object. It describes the action of comprehending the main idea or core concept of something, as exemplified by Ludwig, specifically when it comes to understanding news events from different sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting the gist of" is a phrase used to describe understanding the main idea of something without focusing on the details. Ludwig's analysis shows that while the expression is grammatically correct and widely understood, it sits in a neutral register, more appropriate for contexts like news and media than formal academic or scientific writing. More formal alternatives include "grasping the main idea" or "understanding the essence of". It's a useful phrase to indicate a general comprehension, but one should be mindful of the context in which it's used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding the essence of

Focuses more on the core, fundamental nature of something, rather than a general understanding.

grasping the main idea

Emphasizes the act of seizing or comprehending the central concept.

comprehending the substance

Highlights understanding the significant or essential part of something.

getting the sense of

Implies acquiring a general feeling or perception about something, not necessarily a complete understanding.

realizing the point of

Focuses on understanding the purpose or objective behind something.

catching the drift of

An informal way of saying you're understanding the general direction or meaning.

figuring out the basics

Implies learning or determining the fundamental elements of something.

deducing the core message

Highlights the process of reasoning to arrive at the central communication.

extracting the key information

Focuses on actively identifying and removing the most important data.

interpreting the overall theme

Emphasizes understanding the pervasive subject or message.

FAQs

What does "getting the gist of" mean?

It means understanding the main idea or essence of something, without necessarily knowing all the details.

How can I use "getting the gist of" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the presentation, I was finally "getting the gist of" the project's goals".

What are some alternatives to "getting the gist of"?

You can use alternatives like "grasping the main idea", "understanding the essence of", or "comprehending the substance".

Is it appropriate to use "getting the gist of" in formal writing?

While understandable, it may be better to use more formal alternatives like "understanding the essence of" in academic or professional contexts.