nuts and bolts
noun
1
: the working parts or elements
2
: the practical workings of a machine or enterprise as opposed to theoretical considerations or speculative possibilities
Examples of nuts and bolts in a Sentence
the nuts and bolts of the merger of the two companies have yet to be worked out
Recent Examples on the Web
The bomb that was thrown didn’t go off, causing nothing but smoke, but an investigation later revealed it was packed with explosive material, plus metal nuts and bolts inside that could have been deadly if detonated.
—
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
The object, which also contained nuts and bolts, extinguished itself without harming anyone.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors allege the pair threw a device containing triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, with nuts and bolts attached using duct tape.
—Greg Wehner , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Let’s talk nuts and bolts, right?
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nuts and bolts
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
The object, which also contained nuts and bolts, extinguished itself without harming anyone.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors allege the pair threw a device containing triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, with nuts and bolts attached using duct tape.
—Greg Wehner , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Let’s talk nuts and bolts, right?
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nuts and bolts
Cite this Entry
“Nuts and bolts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuts%20and%20bolts. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
