The phrase "like a bag of bones" is a figurative expression used to describe an individual who appears extremely thin, undernourished, or emaciated, often eliciting a negative or unflattering connotation. It implies a state of extreme bodily thinness, vulnerability, and frailty, where one's physical appearance is reminiscent of a bag containing only bones.
This expression typically describes a person who lacks proper muscle or body mass, exemplifying a sharp prominence of their skeletal structure. Such individuals are often perceived as malnourished, weak, or unwell. The phrase conveys an image of someone whose body seems hollow, lacking substance or vitality, and displaying a conspicuous absence of flesh or fat.
The comparison to a bag emphasizes the gauntness of the individual, suggesting that their physical state appears traumatized, with their bones being tightly contained and visible, as if packed neatly in a bag. The metaphorical representation often denotes a stark contrast to the idealized notion of a healthy or well-fed person, implying a sense of unattractiveness or unhappiness.
Overall, "like a bag of bones" is a descriptive phrase aimed at illustrating extreme thinness, fragility, and a weakened state of appearance, invoking vivid imagery to convey the emaciated physical condition of an individual.
