When someone wants to get to the point or start discussing the most important aspects of a situation, they might use the phrase "brass-tacks." However, there are many synonyms for this term that can be used as alternatives. Some of these include "nitty-gritty," "bare bones," "essentials," "fundamentals," "meat and potatoes," "core elements," and "key details." All of these terms refer to the fundamental, crucial elements of a situation or topic, and they can be used interchangeably with "brass-tacks" depending on the context. Using these alternative phrases can add variety and interest to conversations or writing and help avoid unnecessary repetition.