The phrase "more skin and bones" is commonly used to describe someone who is excessively skinny or undernourished. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled as /mɔː skɪn ənd bəʊnz/, with the stressed syllable being the first in "skin" and "bones". The "o" in "more" is pronounced with an open-mid back rounded vowel, while the "a" in "and" is pronounced with an open front unrounded vowel. The word "bones" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end.
"More skin and bones" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe someone who is extremely thin or emaciated, often to the point where their skeletal structure is highly visible. This expression signifies a significant lack of body fat, resulting in a gaunt and bony appearance.
The phrase is derived from a literal interpretation where "skin" refers to the outermost layer of the body and "bones" refers to the framework that supports it. When used figuratively, "more skin and bones" emphasizes limited physical substance or a lack of fleshiness on a person's body.
This expression is often employed to convey a state of extreme undernourishment, as it suggests the absence of muscle definition and a lack of overall body mass. It typically implies that a person is malnourished, either due to illness, starvation, or other factors that have significantly impacted their nutritional intake.
By using "more skin and bones," individuals intend to emphasize the extreme thinness of a person, highlighting the visible prominence of their skeletal structure. This phrase creates a vivid mental image of an individual's physical condition, providing a powerful descriptor that suggests frailty and weakness.