flesh out

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb: 1. To add substance, detail, or body to something: To make an idea, plan, story, or argument more complete, substantial, or detailed by providing more information or elaboration. 2. To become fuller or plumper in physical form: (Less common) To gain weight or develop a fuller, rounder physical shape.

Usage
  • This verb is typically used with abstract concepts like ideas, plans, arguments, or stories to indicate the process of making them more comprehensive.
  • It is often used in the context of writing, speaking, or planning.
  • It can be used both transitively (with a direct object) and intransitively.
Examples
  • Verb (Transitive):
    • The author needed to flesh out the characters in the second chapter.
    • Can you flesh out your proposal with some concrete examples?
    • The initial sketch was good, but the designer fleshed it out into a full blueprint.
  • Verb (Intransitive - for physical meaning):
    • Her face has fleshed out since she started her new diet.
Advanced Usage
  • "to flesh something out": The most common structure, where "something" is the abstract concept being developed.
    • The committee met to flesh out the details of the new policy.
Variants and Related Words
  • Elaborate (verb): To develop or present (a theory, policy, or system) in detail. (A close synonym in the abstract sense).
  • Expand (verb): To give a fuller version or account of.
  • Detail (verb): To describe item by item; to list the particulars of.
  • Plump (verb): To make or become full and rounded in form. (A synonym for the physical sense).
Synonyms
  • For adding details: Elaborate, expand, develop, augment, supplement, fill out.
  • For becoming plumper: Fill out, plump up, gain weight.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Fill out:
    • To complete (a form or document) by writing the required information.
      • Please fill out this application.
    • To become fuller or plumper. (Synonym for the physical sense of "flesh out").
      • His cheeks filled out as he recovered.
Related Idioms
  • Put meat on the bones (of something): An idiom with a very similar meaning to "flesh out," meaning to add substance or detail to a basic idea or plan.
    • The strategy is a good start, but we need to put some meat on the bones.
Verb
  1. become round, plump, or shapely
    • The young woman is fleshing out
  2. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
    • She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation
  3. make fat or plump
    • We will plump out that poor starving child

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ trái nghĩa

Từ gần giống