What does 'gist' mean when you get the 'gist' of a paper or article?

Answer:
The gist of something means: a general idea of its essential contents, the main substance of what has been written.

So if you 'get the gist' of something, you have grasped the main point(s).

"Just give me the gist' means "I don't want all the details, just give me a (very!) short summary."

For more information, see 'Related links' below.
First answer by BrainBlocked. Last edit by BrainBlocked. Contributor trust: 458 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].