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Usage example with a context:

With that, we have completed the design of our database and implemented it in Access. Overall, this makes for a very simple database implementation and the application prototyping can begin.

Now for the gravy... the database built in Access can be upsized to an enterprise SQL Server database with just a few clicks. Access provides a built-in Upsizing Wizard that makes the process very simple.

How do you understand that?

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We have prepared the meal itself: the database. We have done the bulk of the job and in principle met (almost) all our objectives for the course.

Now we can engage in the preparation of a side-dish: the gravy. The database itself is a working product, ready for use, just like a plate of boiled potatoes is ready for use.

But after the easy step of upsizing it, it will be even better, just like a plate of potatoes will be better with a ladle or two of gravy added to it.

We can rephrase

Now for the gravy...

as

Now let's see what additional job we can do to make the database better.

or

The database is complete and is ready for work. Now let's see what additional steps could be taken to make it work even better.

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  • Delicious explanation :-) But a gravy quibble: although we see in diner menus (e.g. villageinn.com/menu) phrases such as "scrambled eggs smothered with country sausage gravy atop two potato pancakes" I don't think we can use "atop of" to describe gravy that has been ladled onto potatoes. To be 'atop of' something means to be positioned there, but gravy per se is unpositionable. We could make this a question and see if other native speakers feel the same about "atop" as I do, if they're not too busy with actual gravy today.
    – TimR
    Commented Dec 25, 2014 at 14:29
  • @TRomano If you don't shape the potatoes right, then it's unpositionable, but I like to build a little volcano to keep my gravy atop my spuds. ;-p
    – Jason Patterson
    Commented Dec 25, 2014 at 15:03
  • Thank you, @TRomano, for the comment! I changed the text a bit. Should you gravitate towards the opinion that the gravy question is grave enough for a new ELL question, then I won't question your making a new ELL question of it, and let the best answer be engraved in the annals of ELL, or atop of them. (0:
    – CowperKettle
    Commented Dec 25, 2014 at 15:07

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