The phrase "skin and bones" is typically written as it sounds, with no unusual spelling. It is pronounced as /skɪn/ and /boʊnz/. The first syllable "skin" is pronounced as "sk-in" with the "s" sound at the beginning and the long "i" sound. The second syllable "bones" is pronounced as "boh-nz" with the long "o" sound and the "z" sound at the end. This phrase is often used to describe a person or animal who is very thin and malnourished.
Skin and bones is an idiomatic expression used to describe an individual who is extremely thin or emaciated, typically due to a severe lack of body fat and muscle mass. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is unhealthily underweight and may appear frail or weak. It can also be used figuratively to describe objects that are excessively thin, fragile, or lacking substance.
The expression is based on the literal meaning of "skin" as the thin outer covering of the body and "bones" as the rigid, calcified structures that form the skeleton. When someone is referred to as being "skin and bones," it suggests that their physical appearance is primarily composed of these two elements, with little flesh or muscle mass to provide fullness and shape to their body.
The use of "skin and bones" often denotes a state of malnutrition, chronic illness, or extreme weight loss. It may be used to describe someone suffering from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an obsession with weight loss. Additionally, individuals experiencing illnesses such as cancer or tuberculosis, which can cause severe weight loss, may also be described as "skin and bones." In a non-literal sense, the phrase can be applied figuratively to describe objects, structures, or concepts that are excessively thin, fragile, or lacking depth or substance.