Close to the bone

adjective

If a comment or remarks are too close to the bone, they are too personal, sensitive, or hurtful for someone.

His joke about her family was too close to the bone, and she felt offended.

Visual representation of "close to the bone" - If a comment or remarks are too close to the bone, they are too personal, sensitive, or hurtful for someone.

Often appears as...

too close to the bone
cutting too close to the bone

Usage tips

Idiomatic

adjective

If something is close to the bone, it involves dealing or coping with a situation with barely enough resources or only essential items, close to the limit.

Living on a student budget can be very close to the bone.

Visual representation of "close to the bone" - If something is close to the bone, it involves dealing or coping with a situation with barely enough resources or only essential items, close to the limit.

Often appears as...

living close to the bone
cutting close to the bone

Usage tips

Colloquial

adjective

If a comment or remarks are too close to the bone, they are too personal, sensitive, or hurtful for someone.

His joke about her family was too close to the bone, and she felt offended.

Often appears as...

too close to the bone
cutting too close to the bone

Usage tips

Idiomatic

adjective

If something is close to the bone, it involves dealing or coping with a situation with barely enough resources or only essential items, close to the limit.

Living on a student budget can be very close to the bone.

Often appears as...

living close to the bone
cutting close to the bone

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2

Visual representation of "close to the bone"

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Impact

Consider the listener's feelings when using 'close to the bone' because it may touch on personal issues.

I didn't bring up his job loss; it felt too close to the bone.

Pro Tip 2/3

Avoid in Formality

'Close to the bone' might be inappropriate in formal contexts due to its personal and sensitive nature.

In the interview, she steered clear of anything close to the bone.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Be mindful of cultural differences; what's considered 'close to the bone' can vary widely.

His comments on politics were too close to the bone for that international meeting.

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Impact

Consider the listener's feelings when using 'close to the bone' because it may touch on personal issues.

I didn't bring up his job loss; it felt too close to the bone.

Pro Tip 2/3

Avoid in Formality

'Close to the bone' might be inappropriate in formal contexts due to its personal and sensitive nature.

In the interview, she steered clear of anything close to the bone.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Be mindful of cultural differences; what's considered 'close to the bone' can vary widely.

His comments on politics were too close to the bone for that international meeting.

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Impact

Consider the listener's feelings when using 'close to the bone' because it may touch on personal issues.

I didn't bring up his job loss; it felt too close to the bone.

Pro Tip 2/3

Avoid in Formality

'Close to the bone' might be inappropriate in formal contexts due to its personal and sensitive nature.

In the interview, she steered clear of anything close to the bone.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Sensitivity

Be mindful of cultural differences; what's considered 'close to the bone' can vary widely.

His comments on politics were too close to the bone for that international meeting.

Visual representation of the word "Close to the bone"

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