to the bone
idiom
1
: very much
We were frozen to the bone.
The threatening look in his eyes chilled me to the bone.
2
: as much as possible
The company has cut costs to the bone in an effort to save money.
Examples of to the bone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Avascular necrosis meant a loss of blood flow to the bone, killing tissue.
—
Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 13 Nov. 2024
The teenage Comanche, Okla., resident was naked, the base of his skull had been split in two, his spine was fractured and an 8-inch head wound peeled back part of his scalp to the bone, his autopsy stated.
—Emily Palmer, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The actors who came before them — and who were, in my opinion, more skilled — worked their fingers to the bone, doing sometimes five-plus movies a year and dying with not much money.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024
One end of each muscle attaches directly to the eye, and the other end attaches to the bone of your eye socket.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for to the bone 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 13 Nov. 2024
The teenage Comanche, Okla., resident was naked, the base of his skull had been split in two, his spine was fractured and an 8-inch head wound peeled back part of his scalp to the bone, his autopsy stated.
—Emily Palmer, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The actors who came before them — and who were, in my opinion, more skilled — worked their fingers to the bone, doing sometimes five-plus movies a year and dying with not much money.
—Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024
One end of each muscle attaches directly to the eye, and the other end attaches to the bone of your eye socket.
—Troy Bedinghaus, Od, Verywell Health, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for to the bone
Dictionary Entries Near to the bone
Cite this Entry
“To the bone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20the%20bone. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share