What is a bone?

A bone is the hard white material that stops the body being floppy. All the bones in the body are connected and form the skeleton. The plural is ‘bones’.

bones idioms list

Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the body part ‘bone’.

  • a bone to pick
    meaning – have something to discuss or argue with another person
    example – Tell your brother I have a bone to pick with him about the money he owes me.
  • as dry as a bone/bone dry
    meaning – very dry
    example – Let’s get a drink, my mouth is bone dry.
  • bag of bones
    meaning – very thin
    example – I think grandma is sick, she’s a bag of bones.
  • chilled to the bone
    meaning – very cold
    example – Let’s get out of the pool and get a coffee. I’m chilled to the bone.
  • feel it in one’s bones
    meaning – you sense something is going to happen
    example – She will get the promotion; I can feel it in my bones.
  • grow a backbone
    meaning – stop being a wimp and stick up for yourself and your beliefs
    example – Melody should grow a backbone. She isn’t employed to make the coffees.
  • skeleton in one’s closet
    meaning – an embarrassing/damaging secret
    example – I’m seeing a guy; I think he has a few skeletons in his closet.
  • skin and bones
    meaning – very thin and underweight
    example – We found a sick dog on the street. He was skin and bones and infested with maggots.
  • work one’s fingers to the bone
    meaning – work very hard
    example – My dad worked his fingers to the bone then dies a week after he retired.

bones idioms list with pictures

Here’s some real life picture examples.

idiomatic expressions with body parts - bones
body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick
body idioms with bones list - as dry as a bone
body idioms with bones list - bag of bones meaning
body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick
body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick
skeleton idioms - skeleton in your closet meaning
body idioms with bones list - skin and bones meaning
body idioms with bones list - work one’s fingers to the bone

You can download a table of ‘bones’ idioms and expressions below.

If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.