skeleton in the closet
A shameful secret.
"Humph!" she vouchsafed. Then, showing her old-time interest, she went on: "But, say, it is queer, his speakin' to you, honestly, Miss Pollyanna. He don't speak ter no one; and he
skeleton
/ˈskɛlɪtn/
noun 7verb 2
Collocations
3(noun.)
ADJ
dinosaur, fish, human, mammal/mammalian, etc. | external, internal
VERB + SKELETON
form
Definitions
noun
1
The system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.
At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground.
2
An anthropomorphic representation of a skeleton.
She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween.
A Day or two after they parted, [Francis] Spriggs was choſe Captain by the reſt, and a black Enſign was made, which they called Jolly Roger, with the ſame Device that Captain [Edward] Low carried, viz. a white Skeliton in the Middle of it, with a Dart in one Hand ſtriking a bleeding Heart, and in the other, an Hour Glaſs; when this was finiſhed and hoiſted, they fired all their Guns to ſalute their Captain and themſelves, and then looked out for Prey.
3
A very thin person.
She lost so much weight while she was ill that she became a skeleton.
4
The central core of something that gives shape to the entire structure.
The skeleton of the organisation is essentially the same as it was ten years ago, but many new faces have come and gone.
5
A frame that provides support to a building or other construction.
verb
1
To reduce to a skeleton; to skin; to skeletonize.
2
To minimize.
noun
1
A type of tobogganing in which competitors lie face down, and descend head first.
Lugers, who slide feet first and reach the highest speeds, experience some of the same forces, but seem to suffer far fewer concussion-like symptoms than bobsled and skeleton athletes do, probably because a support strap often prevents their heads from banging into the ice.
2
The form of toboggan used in this sport.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
skeleton in the cupboard
A shameful secret.
‘I expect all families have some skeletons in the cupboards,’ Robina said with a smile of understanding. ‘I know I have some relatives who embarrass me, but you have done nothing t
skeleton crew
A crew consisting of the minimum number of personnel needed to maintain and operate the basic functions of something, such as a business, a factory, or a ship.
[T]he ships of the English navy were left with skeleton crews of the most wretched kind and description.
skeleton at the feast
One whose presence brings gloom to a joyous occasion.
Example Bank
601
At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground.
Wiktionary02
She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween.
Wiktionary03
A Day or two after they parted, [Francis] Spriggs was choſe Captain by the reſt, and a black Enſign was made, which they called Jolly Roger, with the ſame Device that Captain [Edward] Low carried, viz
Wiktionary04
Lugers, who slide feet first and reach the highest speeds, experience some of the same forces, but seem to suffer far fewer concussion-like symptoms than bobsled and skeleton athletes do, probably bec
Wiktionary05
There is a skeleton in every closet.
Tatoeba · #3667206
Tom Skeleton was shaking and trembling in every limb.
Tatoeba · #37428Usage Notes
i Register
In some senses, skeleton is marked as figuratively, archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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