only cover the basics
Meaning
To address or discuss solely the most fundamental and essential aspects of a subject, without delving into advanced details or complexities.
Origin
Many phrases bloom from simple necessities, and "only cover the basics" is one such example. It's not born of ancient rituals or battlefield heroics, but from the everyday reality of imparting knowledge or tackling complex tasks. Imagine a teacher introducing a new subject, or a manager briefing a team on a new project. To avoid overwhelming listeners, there's always a point where one must clearly state, "We'll start with the fundamentals." This straightforward combination of "cover" (to deal with or explain) and "basics" (the essential, foundational elements) naturally emerged as a direct, no-nonsense way to set the scope, ensuring that the critical first steps are understood before diving into the intricate depths. It's a phrase rooted in the practical art of clear communication and structured learning, born from the simple human need to begin at the beginning.
Examples
- The introductory workshop will only cover the basics of coding, so don't expect to build a complex app by the end of it.
- Since we're short on time, let's only cover the basics of the new project plan during this meeting and save the specifics for later.