1. These conferences always begin with introductory speeches that don’t say much. I’m glad when they’re finished and the speakers get down to the nitty-gritty—that’s when we really learn something new.
2. Let’s skip the small talk, and go straight to the nitty-gritty: what price do you want for the car, and when will you be able to part with it?

Compare to: get down to brass tacks; bottom line; long and short of it