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