bare bones
Just the minimum
Bare bones refers to the essential elements with nothing extra—the minimum structure needed for something to exist or function.
A bare-bones budget covers only necessities.
A bare-bones outline sketches main points without elaboration.
The phrase evokes a skeleton stripped of flesh: We need to get this project down to bare bones.
- basisUnderlying support or principle
- back to basicsRefocusing on core principles
- elementaryOf first principles
- fundamentalsCore elements of something
- frameworkUnderlying support system
essentials · no frills · simple · essence · nitty gritty · stripped-down · stripped down · foundation · minimal · unadornment · scaffolding · skeletal · core · pith · chassis · groundwork · lean · blueprint
- fundamentalsbasics, fundamentals, essentials, foundation, ABCs
- no-frillsno-frills, basic, plain, simple, utilitarian
- simplicitysimple, minimalism, plain, clarity, plainness
- thrift sayingspenny saved, penny wise, pinch pennies, penny pincher, live within means
- body idiomsheart of gold, heart of stone, cold heart, warm heart, soft heart
- expressions of simplicityeasy, simple, basic, plain, clear
elaboration and detail
bare boneselaborate
Complex and detailed
ornate · fancy · embellished · detailed · decorated
completeness and fullness
bare bonescomprehensive
Including all elements
complete · thorough · exhaustive · fleshed out · robust