1863, January 21, 1863, The Tri-Weekly Telegraph, newspaper of Houston, Texas
When you come down to brass tacks – if we may be allowed the expression – everybody is governed by selfishness.

1935, Clifford Odets, Waiting for Lefty
That's no answer. Get down to brass tacks.

1972, Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
Let's get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?

1979, Stephen King, The Dead Zone
We're gonna stop playing games with these Arabs and get down to brass tacks!

You must be Jules, which would make you Vincent. Let's get down to brass tacks, gentlemen. If I was informed correctly, the clock is ticking. Is that right, Jimmie?

And if the government got a grip, got down to brass tacks and started doing their actual job, all these things could be avoided.

Get down to brass tacks

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