SKIN AND BONE Meaning and
Definition
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Skin and bone is a descriptive idiom used to depict an extremely thin or emaciated person. It refers to a person whose body appears to have very little flesh or muscle, with bones being noticeably prominent beneath the skin. The term conveys the image of a person who seems skeletal, lacking a healthy amount of body mass.
A person described as skin and bone is usually undernourished, suffering from significant weight loss or malnutrition. This condition often arises from various factors such as severe illness, prolonged starvation, or extreme dieting. It can also be used figuratively to describe someone who is extremely thin due to a fast metabolism or a lack of appetite.
The phrase skin and bone is often used in a negative or concerned context due to the associated implications of poor health and fragility. It evokes a sense of worry or compassion for the person being described, as their emaciated appearance suggests vulnerability and frailty.
Moreover, skin and bone may also be used metaphorically to describe situations or objects that appear to be devoid of substance or lacking in depth. In this context, it refers to something that is bare or minimal, lacking the expected quantity or quality typically associated with it. The expression is commonly used in literature, poetry, and everyday language to depict a state of emptiness or hollowness.
Common Misspellings for SKIN AND BONE
Idioms with the word SKIN AND BONE
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be skin and bone
The idiom "be skin and bone" is used to describe someone who is extremely thin or emaciated, typically as a result of illness, malnutrition, or excessive weight loss.
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(nothing but/all/only) skin and bone
If someone is described as being "(nothing but/all/only) skin and bone," it means that they are extremely thin and have very little flesh or muscle on their body. This phrase is often used to emphasize how thin or emaciated someone looks.
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skin and bone
The idiom "skin and bone" is used to describe someone who is very thin or emaciated, typically because they are malnourished or ill.
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be skin and bone(s)
To be extremely thin or emaciated, often to the point of being unhealthy.
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be (all) skin and bone(s)
The idiom "be (all) skin and bone(s)" means to be very thin or emaciated, with very little flesh or muscle mass.
