flesh out

USAGE SUMMARY

"flesh out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to mean giving more detail or depth to a particular idea, plan, or story. For example, "I need to flesh out my research paper with more evidence and historical context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We need to flesh out the details".

The New York Times

They wanted to flesh out, sonically, a new universe.

Wikipedia

A hypothetical may help flesh out this claim.

Huffington Post

Dig the flesh out with a metal spoon.

WikiHow

Flesh out their ambitions.

The Guardian - Sport

• Biographies of buildings flesh out the cityscape.

The New York Times

Some machines flesh out the rest.

The Guardian - Arts

It is certainly not to flesh out the Romney agenda.

The New York Times

Use it to flesh out the humanity of the music.

The New York Times

Might the army flesh out the police force?

The Economist

What drove His to flesh out Bach's bones?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flesh out" when you want to convey the idea of adding details to a plan, story, or argument to make it more complete and understandable.

Common error

Don't use "flesh out" without a clear understanding of what specific details need to be added. Always identify the areas that require further development to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flesh out" functions as a phrasal verb. It is used to describe the act of adding details, substance, or completeness to something, often a plan, idea, or document. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

33%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "flesh out" is a versatile and frequently used expression meaning to add details and substance to something incomplete. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While it maintains a neutral register, its usage helps enhance clarity and completeness in communication. To ensure effective use, it's important to specify the areas needing further development. Common alternatives include "elaborate on" and "expand upon". In essence, "flesh out" is a valuable tool for writers aiming to create well-developed and comprehensive content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborate on

Focuses on providing more information and expanding upon an existing point.

expand upon

Similar to "elaborate on", but suggests a more systematic and structured development of an idea.

develop in detail

Highlights the process of adding specifics and finer points.

add substance to

Emphasizes the act of making something more substantial and meaningful.

provide details for

Directly indicates supplying specific information to clarify or complete something.

amplify

Implies increasing the intensity or impact through the addition of details.

augment

Suggests enhancing or improving something by adding to it.

build upon

Focuses on constructing something more complex by adding layers of information.

round out

Emphasizes completeness and balance through the inclusion of additional elements.

give more depth to

Highlights the process of enriching something with layers of meaning and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "flesh out" in a sentence?

You can use "flesh out" to describe adding details to something. For example, "The presentation needs more data to "flesh out" the argument".

What are some alternatives to "flesh out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "elaborate on", "expand upon", or "develop in detail".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "flesh out"?

It's appropriate to use "flesh out" when you want to suggest that something is incomplete and needs more details, explanation, or substance to be fully realized or understood.

Is "fleshing out" grammatically correct?

Yes, "fleshing out" is the gerund or present participle form of the verb phrase "flesh out" and is grammatically correct. You can use it as a noun or in continuous verb tenses.