English idiom

back to basics

Register · Neutral CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

Why this phrase?

The 'basics' are the simple foundations everyone learns first; the phrase pictures stripping away complications and returning to them.

Example

“After the failed launch, the team went back to basics and focused on what customers actually needed.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go down the road of

to start following a particular course of action

a piece of cake

Something that is very easy to do.

from scratch

from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier

get the ball rolling

To start an activity or process.

get up to speed

to become informed or current on a topic, project, or situation

hit the books

to study hard, especially before an exam

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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