To the bone Meaning in English
expression
ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈboʊn
TOO-thuh-BOHN or tuh-THUH-BOHN
tˈuː/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈəʊn
TOO-thuh-BOHN
Definition
Used to mean 'completely' or 'very deeply,' often with physical sensations or to emphasize intensity, such as being cold, soaked, or affected 'to the bone.' It can also describe thoroughness.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and emphatic. Most common with physical feelings ('cold to the bone', 'soaked to the bone'), but also used figuratively for emotions or thoroughness ('worked to the bone'). Not literal; use for emphasis.
Spanish: hasta los huesos - al máximoPortuguese (BR): até os ossos - profundamentePortuguese (PT): até aos ossos - profundamenteChinese (Simplified): 彻骨 - 到极点Chinese (Traditional): 徹骨 - 到極點Hindi: हड्डी तक - पूरी तरहArabic: حتى العظم - بشكل كاملBengali: হাড় পর্যন্ত - সম্পূর্ণভাবে (অলঙ্কারিক, অনুভূতি)Russian: до мозга костей - до костейJapanese: 骨の髄まで - 徹底的にVietnamese: đến tận xương - thấu tận xươngKorean: 뼛속까지 - 완전히Turkish: iliklerine kadar - tamamenUrdu: ہڈیوں تک - پوری طرحIndonesian: hingga ke tulang - sangat dalam
Example Sentences
The wind was cold to the bone.
basic
He was soaked to the bone after the rain.
basic
She worked herself to the bone for her family.
basic
That icy water chilled me to the bone.
natural
After hiking all day, I was tired to the bone.
natural
That movie scared me to the bone.
natural