Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, thin, pointed piece of metal or wood used to hold pieces of food, especially meat, together and in position while they are being cooked.

2. Verb:

   • To pierce or fasten something, especially food, with a skewer.

Examples

• Noun:

  • Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewer before grilling.
  • The recipe calls for six bamboo skewers, soaked in water first.

• Verb:

  • Skewer the shrimp and peppers alternately.
  • The chef expertly skewered the cubes of lamb.

Advanced Usage

• "to be skewered": Can be used figuratively to mean being subjected to severe criticism or ridicule, as if being pierced.
  • The politician was skewered by the press for his contradictory statements.

Variants and Related Words

• Skewering (gerund/noun): The action of piercing with a skewer.
  • The skewering of the kebabs took longer than expected.

Synonyms

• Noun: Spike, pin, brochette.
• Verb: Impale, spear, spike, pierce.

Related Phrases

• "like a skewer": Used to describe something very straight, thin, and pointed.
  • The new building rose like a skewer into the sky.

Idioms

• "On a skewer": In a vulnerable or defenseless position, often facing criticism (extended from the figurative use).
  • His weak argument left him on a skewer during the debate.

Noun

1. a long pin for holding meat in position while it is being roasted

Verb

1. drive a skewer through
   • skewer the meat for the BBQ