close to the bone
The phrase "close to the bone" is often used to describe comments or situations that are uncomfortably truthful or touch on sensitive issues.
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Definition
B2Conversation
(informal)Bluntly honest to the point of causing discomfort or offense.
Example
- His critique of the project was a bit close to the bone, making everyone uneasy.
C1Financial Situation
(historical)Living with minimal resources, often in poverty.
Example
- During the recession, many families had to live close to the bone.
B2Humor
(informal)Bordering on being indecent or offensive.
Example
- The comedian's jokes were funny but sometimes a bit close to the bone.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "close to the bone":
close to homeclose to one's hearthit too close to hometoo close for comfortclose tocut to the quickflesh and bonein one's bonesto the quickclose to the windcut it closecheek by jowlon the nosewithin an inch of one's lifepoint the boneclose by