Learn English – Is “get the basics straight” a valid idiom

idioms

I somehow have in my mind, that

"get the basics straight (first)"

is a valid phrase/idiom in the meaning of, that someone needs to understand the basic concepts of something or get to know the basic facts of a situation, before he can further follow up on something.

While (in my mind) this sounds perfectly good – Google only has 14,900 results for it, which makes me think, that it doesn't really exist in proper English at all.

Is it correct and just not widely spread, or is there any related idiom which has the above mentioned meaning?

Best Answer

"Get the basics straight" and "Get the basics straight first" are valid English, but are not idioms. In a context where an author is trying to:

  • Be polite (perhaps sarcastic, but neither rude nor obscene nor profane)
  • Point out the basics of something, before pointing out more advanced features
  • Write clearly
  • Use the second-person imperative

"Get the basics straight" or "Get the basics straight first" is a natural thing to say.

Here are some alternatives that are idiomatic. Notice that some of these alternatives are quite rude, or compare the reader to a baby, toddler, or young child:

  • You have to crawl before you can walk.
  • You need to walk before you can run.
  • Learn the ABCs of <topic>
  • Get your shit straight.

Here is an idiomatic alternative that is polite:

  • Start with the basics.
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