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’ with picture examples.

idiomatic expressions with body parts - bones

a bag of bones

meaning – very thin
example – I think grandma is sick, she’s a bag of bones.

body idioms with bones list - bag of bones meaning

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.

body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick

a 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.

skeleton idioms - skeleton in your closet meaning

as dry as a bone/bone dry

meaning – very dry
example – Let’s get a drink, my mouth is bone dry.

body idioms with bones list - as dry as a bone

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.

body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick

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.

body idioms with bones list - a bone to pick

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.

body idioms with bones list - grow a backbone

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.

body idioms with bones list - skin and bones meaning

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.

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.