This phrase means to start to consider the basic facts or realities. It first appeared in the USA in 1863. The derivation is uncertain. An explanation that relies on actual tacks comes from the haberdashery trade. In order to be more accurate than the rough-and-ready measuring of a yard of material by holding it out along an arm's length, cloth was measured between brass tacks which were set into a shop's counter. Tailors 'got down to brass tacks' and measured out the amount they needed.

Übersetzung:

zur Sache kommen

Gegenteil(e)

The opposite of "get down to brass tracks" is "beat about the bush".

Synonym(e):

You could also say: to come to the point.