full of skeletons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of skeletons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation, place, or person that has hidden secrets or past issues that are not immediately visible. Example: "The old mansion was full of skeletons, both literally and figuratively, as it held many dark secrets from its past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's full of skeletons".

The New Yorker

It's dirty, it's dusty, it's full of skeletons.

Independent

Interior: a roomy Oklahoma house, the closets full of skeletons.

The Guardian - Film

He showed her a Dogan cave full of skeletons for a high price.

The New Yorker

So when the grounds were dug up for development in 1929, startled workers found the site full of skeletons.

The New York Times - Science

The athlete with the highly cultivated brand could be building that image in front of a closet full of skeletons.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They will figure out how to whip up resentment and class "dog whistles" without Trump's anger, erratic behavior, a closet full of skeletons--and do it with a folksy demeanor.

Huffington Post

Nearby, Delvaux revisits the Renaissance with a large ink drawing that shows Jesus as a crucified skeleton in a courtyard full of rioting skeletons; that drawing resonates with Ensor's lively "Christ Tormented by Demons," an 1895 etching, and with Matthew Barney's gossamer pencil study of a skeletal Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The New York Times - Arts

In November a glass-front cabinet full of animal skeletons sold at auction for $1.1 million, a record for the artist at auction.

The New York Times - Arts

Since June she's released three parts of the "Body Talk" series (Konichiwa/Cheerytree/Interscope), her first releases since 2005, full of strong skeletons with little meat on them.

The New York Times - Arts

If their intention was to intimidate the enemy, they failed: the evidence has come from front teeth from a pit full of decapitated skeletons, found during roadworks in Dorset and now believed to be victims of a massacre of Viking invaders by local Britons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of skeletons" to add a vivid and slightly macabre image to your writing when referring to hidden secrets or unresolved issues.

Common error

Avoid using "full of skeletons" in a literal sense when you intend to convey a metaphorical meaning. Ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to hidden issues or secrets, not actual human remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of skeletons" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that it has hidden secrets or a troubled past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase adds depth and imagery to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of skeletons" is a vivid and commonly understood way to describe something with hidden secrets or a problematic past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's suitable for general use but should be used with consideration in more formal settings. As evidenced by examples across news, academic, and scientific sources, it effectively conveys a sense of intrigue or caution about concealed issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hiding uncomfortable truths

Highlights the nature of the secrets as unpleasant or difficult.

harboring dark secrets

Emphasizes the malevolent nature of the concealed information.

concealing past misdeeds

Specifically refers to actions that were wrong or immoral.

repressing buried issues

Highlights the act of keeping something secret.

replete with secrets

Replaces "full of skeletons" with a more general expression of hidden information.

suffering from covered-up scandals

Highlights that the scandals are covered up.

carrying hidden baggage

Uses a different metaphor to convey the idea of unresolved issues.

burdened by the past

Focuses on the weight of past events, rather than specific secrets.

having a troubled history

Shifts the focus to the overall historical context of the concealed information.

containing scandalous affairs

Suggests that the skeletons are affairs.

FAQs

How can I use "full of skeletons" in a sentence?

You can use "full of skeletons" to describe something that has many hidden secrets or problematic issues. For instance, "The company's past was "full of skeletons", which the new CEO had to address immediately."

What does it mean when someone says something is "full of skeletons"?

When someone says something is "full of skeletons", it means it has a past marred by secrets, scandals, or unresolved issues that are typically hidden from public view.

Which is a more formal alternative to "full of skeletons"?

A more formal alternative to "full of skeletons" could be "replete with undisclosed issues" or "burdened by a problematic past". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

How does "full of skeletons" differ from "hiding something"?

"Full of skeletons" implies a history of multiple concealed issues, whereas "hiding something" refers to a single, specific act of concealment. The former suggests a pattern of secrets, while the latter indicates a singular instance.