gist of the thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gist of the thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when summarizing or conveying the main point or essence of a topic or discussion. Example: "After discussing the various options, I believe the gist of the thing is that we need to prioritize our budget for next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The controversial gist of the thing is that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and their descendants live on to this day.

The Guardian

Clearly, he was a busy guy, but he also realized that you could get the gist of the thing that way.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Our brains have adapted to make decisions quickly, to have answers quickly -– the way we do that is by knowing the gist of things, the broad strokes… Not the details.

Huffington Post

Following ordinary language, Dewey notes that "essence" can also mean the "gist" of a thing, what is indispensable.

SEP

Mrs. Gist said one of the things she was most sensitive about in 1995 was the frequently heard claim that the tragedy in Oklahoma City "happened to the entire country".

The New York Times

Very few companies have been working on attacking the social address book with any real gusto, and the ones who do try to make sense of the thing, like Gist, for example, get acquired.

TechCrunch

A five-on-five, team-based arena battler, gamers familiar with the style, from titles like League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm, will get the gist of things straight away, but there can be a lot here to learn for new players, particularly the exhaustive terminology.

Vice

"If you weren't at university studying a particular discipline (and even if you were)," she goes on, "Pelican books were the way to get the gist of things, and education seemed like a capacious bag into which all manner of information was thrown, without the slightest concern about where it belonged in the taxonomy of knowledge.

The Guardian - Books

And for those new users, who are just looking to get the gist of things – and who are less concerned, perhaps, with the IP rights surrounding their photos –  500px's Terms are a welcome sight.

TechCrunch

The gist of things: most of Sprint's customers are finding their way over to the 3G CDMA network, and Sprint has been tapering their efforts when it comes to selling people on the idea of iDEN.

TechCrunch

Sure, it won't be as good as the real thing, but least you'll get the gist of the programme.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gist of the thing" when you want to emphasize a summarized or simplified understanding of a complex topic. It works best in informal contexts or when explaining something quickly.

Common error

Avoid using "gist of the thing" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "essence", "core", or "main point" for a polished and authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gist of the thing" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It typically conveys a summarized or simplified understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gist of the thing" serves as a way to communicate the core essence of a subject matter. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and its primary function to present a summarized understanding. While more common in News & Media, it's less prevalent in formal writing. For professional contexts, consider alternatives like "essence of the matter" or "main point". Remember, the context dictates the most appropriate vocabulary. Use "gist of the thing" when aiming for simplicity and accessibility, but opt for precision in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essence of the matter

Focuses on the core, unchanging nature of something.

heart of the matter

Emphasizes the central and most important aspect.

crux of the issue

Highlights the most critical point of contention or difficulty.

main point

A straightforward way to indicate the primary idea being conveyed.

bottom line

Refers to the essential or most important factor.

the long and short of it

An idiomatic way of saying "in summary" or "to put it briefly".

core concept

Focuses on the fundamental idea or principle.

key takeaway

Emphasizes the most important thing to remember or understand.

essential idea

Highlights the most necessary or important concept.

general idea

Conveys an overall understanding without specific details.

FAQs

What does "gist of the thing" mean?

The phrase "gist of the thing" refers to the main point, essence, or general understanding of a topic, situation, or message. It's a way of saying you understand the core idea without necessarily knowing all the details.

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

You might say, "I didn't read the whole report, but I got the "gist of the thing" from the summary." or "The "gist of the thing" is that we need to cut costs."

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

Consider using alternatives like "essence of the matter", "heart of the matter", or "main point" depending on the context.

Is "gist of the thing" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "gist of the thing" is generally more suitable for informal conversations or writing. For formal contexts, it's better to use more precise alternatives like "core concept" or "essential idea".