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English Idioms :: skeleton in the closet
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skeleton.html - {n. phr.} A shameful secret; someone or something kept hidden, especially by a family. * /The skeleton in our family closet was Uncle Willie. No one mentioned him because he drank too much./ |
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Traditional English :: skeleton
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skeleton.html - n. 1 a a hard internal or external framework of bones, cartilage, shell, woody fibre, etc., supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant. b the dried bones of a human being or other animal fastened together in the same relative positions as in life. 2 the supporting framework or structure or essential part of a thing. 3 a very thin or emaciated person or animal. 4 the remaining part of anything after its life or usefulness is gone. 5 an outline sketch, an epitome or abstract. 6 (attrib.) having only the essential or minimum number of persons, parts, etc. (skeleton plan; skeleton staff). skeleton at the feast something that spoils one's pleasure; an intrusive worry. skeleton in the cupboard (US closet) a discreditable or embarrassing fact kept secret. skeleton key a key designed to fit many locks by having the interior of the bit hollowed. skeletal adj. skeletally adv. skeletonize v.tr. (also -ise). [mod.L f. Gk, neut. of skeletos dried-up f. skello dry up] |
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English Idioms :: skeleton in the closet
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skeleton.html - {n. phr.} A shameful secret; someone or something kept hidden, especially by a family. * /The skeleton in our family closet was Uncle Willie. No one mentioned him because he drank too much./ |
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Traditional English :: skeleton
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skeleton.html - n. 1 a a hard internal or external framework of bones, cartilage, shell, woody fibre, etc., supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant. b the dried bones of a human being or other animal fastened together in the same relative positions as in life. 2 the supporting framework or structure or essential part of a thing. 3 a very thin or emaciated person or animal. 4 the remaining part of anything after its life or usefulness is gone. 5 an outline sketch, an epitome or abstract. 6 (attrib.) having only the essential or minimum number of persons, parts, etc. (skeleton plan; skeleton staff). skeleton at the feast something that spoils one's pleasure; an intrusive worry. skeleton in the cupboard (US closet) a discreditable or embarrassing fact kept secret. skeleton key a key designed to fit many locks by having the interior of the bit hollowed. skeletal adj. skeletally adv. skeletonize v.tr. (also -ise). [mod.L f. Gk, neut. of skeletos dried-up f. skello dry up] |
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English Idioms :: skeleton in the closet
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skeleton.html - {n. phr.} A shameful secret; someone or something kept hidden, especially by a family. * /The skeleton in our family closet was Uncle Willie. No one mentioned him because he drank too much./ |
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Traditional English :: skeleton
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skeleton.html - n. 1 a a hard internal or external framework of bones, cartilage, shell, woody fibre, etc., supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant. b the dried bones of a human being or other animal fastened together in the same relative positions as in life. 2 the supporting framework or structure or essential part of a thing. 3 a very thin or emaciated person or animal. 4 the remaining part of anything after its life or usefulness is gone. 5 an outline sketch, an epitome or abstract. 6 (attrib.) having only the essential or minimum number of persons, parts, etc. (skeleton plan; skeleton staff). skeleton at the feast something that spoils one's pleasure; an intrusive worry. skeleton in the cupboard (US closet) a discreditable or embarrassing fact kept secret. skeleton key a key designed to fit many locks by having the interior of the bit hollowed. skeletal adj. skeletally adv. skeletonize v.tr. (also -ise). [mod.L f. Gk, neut. of skeletos dried-up f. skello dry up] |
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