meat and potatoes

meat and potatoes (comparative more meat and potatoes, superlative most meat and potatoes)

1. (informal) Normal, average, typical, unexceptional, or nondescript.

   Rick is very experimental and open-minded about trying new things, but Ted is a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

meat and potatoes (uncountable)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see meat,‎ and,‎ potatoes.
2. (US, informal) The essential part or parts of something.
   • 15 September 2018, Barney Ronay, The Guardian, Finely tuned Liverpool are really getting into Jürgen Klopp’s groove:

     The complete attacking secrets of Harry Kane would be a slim volume. His game at its best is beautifully simple: high-energy, highly effective meat and potatoes. He just looks very tired.

• meat-and-potato, meat-and-potatoes