/ Dictionary / Index B brass tacks: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: brass' tacks' Pronunciation: [key] — Informal. Informal. the most fundamental considerations; essentials; realities (usually used in the phrase get down to brass tacks). Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. brass-rubbing brassware Related Content Daily Word Quiz: sinister Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language