back to (the|) basics
1
used when one has to focus on the simplest and most important facts of a situation, particularly those that one was ignoring, in order to get the intended result
The idiom "back to basics" is thought to have originated in the early 20th century, when it was used to describe a movement in education that emphasized the teaching of fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. The phrase is now used more broadly to mean a return to something simple or fundamental, after a period of complexity or innovation.
- The company is going back to basics and focusing on its core products and services.
- The team is going back to the basics and reviewing its game plan.
- The teacher is going back to basics and teaching the students the fundamentals of grammar.
- The chef is going back to basics and cooking simple, traditional meals.
- The artist is going back to basics and using only basic materials such as paint and brushes.