A bag of bones
noun phrase
A person or animal that is very thin, especially due to illness or lack of food.
After months of being stranded on the island, he was nothing more than a bag of bones.
Often appears as...
- turn into a bag of bones
- look like a bag of bones
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun phrase
Used to describe something in a state of extreme disrepair or dilapidation.
His old house was a real bag of bones, but he loved it anyway.
Often appears as...
- look like a bag of bones
- turn into a bag of bones
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun phrase
A person or animal that is very thin, especially due to illness or lack of food.
After months of being stranded on the island, he was nothing more than a bag of bones.
Often appears as...
- turn into a bag of bones
- look like a bag of bones
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun phrase
Used to describe something in a state of extreme disrepair or dilapidation.
His old house was a real bag of bones, but he loved it anyway.
Often appears as...
- look like a bag of bones
- turn into a bag of bones
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Used to evoke sympathy for someone or something that appears extremely thin.
Seeing the stray dog, she remarked, 'That poor creature is just a bag of bones.'
Pro Tip 2/3Context Matters
Choose this expression to emphasize weakness or a pitiful state, not just ordinary thinness.
After his long sickness, grandpa has turned into a bag of bones.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Insult
While descriptive, it can be sensitive or offensive when referring to a person's body.
Be careful not to call someone a bag of bones; it might hurt their feelings.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Used to evoke sympathy for someone or something that appears extremely thin.
Seeing the stray dog, she remarked, 'That poor creature is just a bag of bones.'
Pro Tip 2/3Context Matters
Choose this expression to emphasize weakness or a pitiful state, not just ordinary thinness.
After his long sickness, grandpa has turned into a bag of bones.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Insult
While descriptive, it can be sensitive or offensive when referring to a person's body.
Be careful not to call someone a bag of bones; it might hurt their feelings.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Used to evoke sympathy for someone or something that appears extremely thin.
Seeing the stray dog, she remarked, 'That poor creature is just a bag of bones.'
Pro Tip 2/3Context Matters
Choose this expression to emphasize weakness or a pitiful state, not just ordinary thinness.
After his long sickness, grandpa has turned into a bag of bones.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Insult
While descriptive, it can be sensitive or offensive when referring to a person's body.
Be careful not to call someone a bag of bones; it might hurt their feelings.
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