1.
The ~ of something are its simplest, most important elements, ideas, or principles, in contrast to more complicated or detailed ones.
They will concentrate on teaching the ~ of reading, writing and arithmetic...
A strong community cannot be built until the ~ are in place...
Let’s get down to ~ and stop horsing around.
= fundamentals
N-PLURAL: usu the N, oft N of n
2.
Basics are things such as simple food, clothes, or equipment that people need in order to live or to deal with a particular situation.
...supplies of ~ such as bread and milk.
...items that are the ~ of a stylish wardrobe.
N-PLURAL
3.
If you talk about getting back to ~, you are suggesting that people have become too concerned with complicated details or new theories, and that they should concentrate on simple, important ideas or activities.
...a new ‘back-to-~’ drive to raise standards of literacy in Britain’s schools.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, PHR n