The phrase "nitty gritty" refers to the essential, fundamental details of a situation. Antonyms for this phrase include surface-level, superficial, superficiality, and veneer. Such adjectives imply a lack of depth or thoroughness in the examination of a problem or discussion. Some other antonyms that can be used are secondary, trivial, inconsequential, incidental, and negligible. These antonyms describe things that are not essential or significant in a given context. By using these antonyms, we can convey the idea that some information may not be relevant or important in a larger scheme of things.