Meat on the bone
What do they mean when someone says "Something has meat on the bone."?

I don't remember details. They could say "Someone has meat on the bone", but I'm not sure. They were talking about someone's thesis. Meat on the bone is literally what I can bite off, I guess it refers to something they can find interesting or find joy at. Is my understanding right?

Question

Meat on the bone
What do they mean when someone says "Something has meat on the bone."?

I don't remember details. They could say "Someone has meat on the bone", but I'm not sure. They were talking about someone's thesis. Meat on the bone is literally what I can bite off, I guess it refers to something they can find interesting or find joy at. Is my understanding right?

Answer

Hi Hailey
If someone is talking about a thesis and says that it has meat on the bone, it probably means that it has substance, that its arguments have been developed and conclusions drawn from it, so there is more than just the 'bare bones' (basic information.)

Answer

I agree with Neal here ... but it is a metaphor (like a second meaning)

Answer

It is " skinny bone" means the very thin people.

Answer

We normally use this term with skinny (thin) people. If you are very skinny, and I think you need to gain some weight, I would say, "Wow, Halley, you need to put some meat on your bones".

I personally have never heard it used in any other context except to refer to someone's weight or appearance.