A bag of bones

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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.
Visual representation of "a bag of bones" - A person or animal that is very thin, especially due to illness or lack of food.

Often appears as...

  • turn into a bag of bones
  • look like a bag of bones

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "a bag of bones"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Impact

Used to evoke sympathy for someone or something that appears extremely thin.

Illustration for Emotional Impact
Seeing the stray dog, she remarked, 'That poor creature is just a bag of bones.'
LampPro Tip 2/3

Context Matters

Choose this expression to emphasize weakness or a pitiful state, not just ordinary thinness.

Illustration for Context Matters
After his long sickness, grandpa has turned into a bag of bones.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Avoid Insult

While descriptive, it can be sensitive or offensive when referring to a person's body.

Illustration for Avoid Insult
Be careful not to call someone a bag of bones; it might hurt their feelings.
Visual representation of the word "A bag of bones"

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