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to the bone

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to the bone

as completely as possible Over the past 10 years, music programs in the public schools have been cut to the bone. When the wind whips around the house, even with the heat turned up I get chilled to the bone.

Etymology: based on the idea of cutting all the meat from a bone, which leaves nothing that can be eaten

See also: bone

to the bone

To an extreme degree: was chilled to the bone; cut the budget to the bone.

See also: bone