The Clue
Gist of the matter (4 letter answer)
The Answer
MEAT
Tags
Notes
The answer MEAT is seen frequently, appearing about once every 90 puzzles.
Related Clues
Crux
Gist
Pith
___ and potatoes
Substance
Ball preceder
Beef or bacon
Beef, e.g.
Bully or jerky
Butcher's goods
Chuck, say
Coconut filler
Companion of potatoes
Couscous ingredient
Essential part
Food for carnivores
Frequent entree
Headcheese, e.g.
Kind of ball
Nut part
Pecan pith
Protein source
Spam, e.g.
Steak or chop
Stew ingredient
Sweet ___ (candy)
Cold cuts, e.g.
Food eschewed by a vegetarian
Nut's best part
Spam, ham or lamb
Vegan's no-no
Vegetarian's no-no
Definition
MEAT as a noun:
1. the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
2. (kernel, meat) = the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone; "black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell"
3. (kernel, substance, core, center, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty) = the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"