"Like a bag of bones" is an idiomatic phrase commonly used to describe an individual or an object that is extremely thin, malnourished, or emaciated in appearance. The phrase employs a metaphorical comparison, wherein the thinness and lack of substance of the subject are likened to a bag filled only with bones.
This expression can be used to describe people who have lost a considerable amount of weight or are naturally very skinny, giving the impression that their body is primarily composed of bones, with minimal flesh or muscle. It may also be used to depict objects that lack fullness or substance, such as a dilapidated or withered plant, resulting in a frail and skeletal appearance.
The phrase often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a sense of frailty, weakness, or poor health. It can be employed in different contexts, such as expressing concern for someone's well-being, criticizing an unhealthy or unattractive physique, or describing an object's withered state.
In summary, "like a bag of bones" is an idiomatic expression that illustrates extreme thinness or emaciation, comparing the subject to a bag filled solely with bones. It highlights a lack of substance, often suggesting fragility, weakness, or unhealthiness.
