crux of the matter
4
5.6
- idiom
:
el meollo del asunto
- After much discussion, we finally identified the crux of the matter as the lack of funding for the project.
Examples
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And this is the crux of the matter: you keep citing the UN as if it means something.
Blog text (4) -
The crux of the matter is not power but purpose.
Academic text (2003) -
So it turns out that the crux of the matter is to see what is losing energy.
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But we're coming to the crux of the matter, which is that this is the function of feeling.
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Now we come to the crux of the matter.
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The crux of the matter here is that we must learn first of all to create our own.
Academic text (1995) -
And that, I think, is the crux of the matter.
Blog text (29) -
I think this is the crux of the matter.
Blog text (11) -
Please let us not lose sight of the real issues, the crux of the matter.
Blog text (17) -
The question of justification and the definition of the higher good is, therefore, the crux of the matter.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
333
3.7
The most important point in a situation
43
3.1
A main idea in a talk or report
34
7.5
The main point that decides what matters most in an issue
30
3.7
The main person, thing, or idea that gets most attention
13
3.9
The most important part of a problem or discussion
6
6.7
The main point people argue about in a discussion
5
2.9
The most important point someone makes in a discussion or essay
3
7.6
The main part or idea that other things depend on
1
5.6
The main point someone makes in a discussion
The most important point people discuss in a disagreement
The most important part of an idea or theory that you must understand
The main point of a discussion or argument
Antonyms
How Central
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'crux' denotes the key or central point and 'of the matter' specifies the issue, so the combined meaning 'the central point of an issue' is predictable from the parts. Although 'crux' is relatively formal/low-frequency, if a learner knows the constituent words the meaning is transparent and not idiomatic.
Etymology
Crux of the matter comes from the old word crux, which meant a 'cross' and later the hard or center part of a problem. One popular story says that image of a center made people use crux of the matter to mean the 'main point' you must understand.