skeleton
All the bones in a person or animal, seen together as a frame for the body.
The connected structure of bones that supports and gives shape to the body of a person or animal, especially when seen without flesh.
A person or animal who is so thin that you can easily see their bones.
A person or animal who is extremely thin, so that their bones can be clearly seen under the skin.
The main parts of something, like a plan, story, or building, without the small details.
The basic structure, outline, or framework of something, with only the main parts and not the details.
Very small and basic, with only the people or parts that are really needed.
Having only the minimum number of people, parts, or services necessary for something to continue to operate.
A winter sport where a person lies face down on a small sled and goes down an ice track headfirst.
A winter sliding sport in which one person rides a small sled down an ice track while lying face down and headfirst.
- Base: skeleton
- Plural: skeletons
a skeleton in the closet
1an embarrassing secret from the past
An old secret that is shameful or embarrassing and that someone does not want other people to know.
- Every family has a skeleton in the closet that nobody talks about.
- The politician was afraid a skeleton in the closet would ruin his career.
- Journalists searched for a skeleton in the closet before the election.
a skeleton in the cupboard
1embarrassing past secret (UK)
(British English) An old secret that is shameful or embarrassing and that someone does not want other people to know.
- The minister denied having any skeletons in the cupboard.
- The book reveals a surprising skeleton in the cupboard of the royal family.
have skeletons in the closet
1have shameful secrets from the past
To have old secrets in your past that are shameful or embarrassing and that you do not want other people to know.
- Many public figures have skeletons in the closet that they hope will never come out.
- She worries that her skeletons in the closet will affect her new relationship.
skeleton argument
1outline of legal arguments
(Especially in British law) A short written paper that gives the main legal arguments in a case, without full detail.
- Counsel must file a skeleton argument before the hearing.
- The judge asked the lawyers to keep their skeleton arguments to ten pages.
skeleton crew
1very small team to run something
A very small number of people who stay to run a ship, vehicle, or place at a basic level.
- A skeleton crew stayed on the ship while it was in the harbor.
- At night, a skeleton crew keeps the station running.
skeleton key
1key that opens many locks
A special key that can open many different locks, not just one.
- He used a skeleton key to open the old door.
- The locksmith showed us how a skeleton key can open several similar locks.
skeleton staff
1minimum number of workers
A very small number of workers who stay to keep a place or service running at a basic level.
- The hospital is running on a skeleton staff tonight.
- During the holidays the company keeps only a skeleton staff in the office.