drenched to the bone

USAGE SUMMARY

"drenched to the bone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is completely soaked in water, as in the following example sentence: "After standing outside in the rain for an hour, I was completely drenched to the bone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"There are so many scenes in Pirates 3 in which I'm drenched to the bone," Crook says.

The Guardian - Film

We arrived at the Beveridge Police Camp drenched to the bone and doubtless stank of poverty a strong odour about us like wet dogs and for this or other reasons we was excluded from the Sergeant's room.

The Guardian - Books

"Come gather 'round people wherever you roam And admit that the waters around you have grown And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hypothermia can be a real issue if someone is drenched to the skin and chattering to the bone.

WikiHow

The snow was so deep that he was drenched to the skin in minutes.

Forbes

The tiles should be drenched to saturation, and the moss balls soaked through and through.

WikiHow

I sweat a lot in general, but during those shows, I would sweat so profusely that my jeans would be drenched and I'd be soaked to the bone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Corrupt to the bone.

The New Yorker

Close to the bone.

BBC

To the bone.

Forbes

Jack cut to the bone.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drenched to the bone" to vividly describe a state of extreme wetness, suggesting that the water has penetrated deeply. It's more impactful than simply saying 'wet'.

Common error

Avoid using "drenched to the bone" in situations where a milder description of wetness would suffice. It's a strong idiom, so reserve it for when something is truly soaked through.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drenched to the bone" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe a state of extreme wetness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it vividly conveys the idea of being completely soaked through. It's often used to emphasize the discomfort or severity of the situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "drenched to the bone" is a vivid way to describe a state of extreme wetness. Ludwig AI confirms it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It is used to emphasize how thoroughly soaked something or someone is, often suggesting a degree of discomfort or intensity. While generally neutral in register, its suitability depends on the context. Usage is more common in News & Media, Wiki, and science contexts than formal or academic settings. Alternative expressions include "soaked to the skin" or "wet through and through". When writing, remember to reserve this strong idiom for situations where something is truly saturated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soaked to the skin

Emphasizes the outer layer (skin) being completely wet.

wet through and through

Highlights the completeness of the saturation.

soaked to the marrow

Implies a deeper level of penetration, affecting even the inner parts.

soaked to the core

Indicates saturation down to the innermost part.

saturated completely

Focuses on the state of being fully filled with liquid.

wringing wet

Describes the condition of being so wet that water could be squeezed out.

utterly soaked

Emphasizes the extent of the soaking with the intensifier "utterly".

drenched from head to toe

Specifies the area affected by the soaking.

waterlogged

Describes something being excessively saturated with water.

awash

Implies being covered or filled with water.

FAQs

How can I use "drenched to the bone" in a sentence?

You can use "drenched to the bone" to describe someone or something completely soaked in water. For example, "After the downpour, we were "drenched to the bone"."

What does "drenched to the bone" mean?

"Drenched to the bone" means completely soaked, with water having penetrated all layers of clothing or material.

What are some synonyms for "drenched to the bone"?

Alternatives to "drenched to the bone" include "soaked to the skin", "wet through and through", or "soaked to the core".

Is "drenched to the bone" a formal or informal expression?

"Drenched to the bone" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In formal contexts, you might opt for a more literal description, like "completely saturated".