Definition of skeleton key - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
securityDated key with a simple design to open many locksDated
- He used a skeleton key to open the old door.
- The locksmith demonstrated how a skeleton key works.
- She found an old skeleton key in the attic.
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Images of skeleton key
key with a simple design to open many locks
Expressions with skeleton
embarrassing or shameful secret from someone's past
He has a skeleton in the closet he never talks about.
minimum staff needed to keep operations running
During the holiday, the office operated with a skeleton crew.
closely guarded family secret or scandal
Every family has a family skeleton hidden away.
simplify something to its most basic form
They reduced the business plan to a skeleton.
basic operations maintained during holidays or off-hours
The company runs a skeleton service over the Christmas period.
minimum employees needed to run a business
During the holiday, the company operated with a skeleton staff.
person who is extremely thin and looks unhealthy
After his illness, he became a walking skeleton.
person or thing that brings gloom
His negative comments were the skeleton at the feast.
person so thin that bones are very visible
After his illness, he looked like a living skeleton.
looking very thin and bony
The old tree looked skeleton-like in the winter.
framework of all bones that supports and shapes a person’s body
The human skeleton protects vital organs like the heart and lungs.
part of skeleton with skull, spine, ribs, sternum
The axial skeleton supports the body's central structure.
concise document outlining main points of a legal argument
The lawyer submitted the skeleton argument before the trial.
any member of the Caprellidae family with a slender body
The skeleton shrimp clung to the seaweed.
shameful secret kept hidden
Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard.
Expressions with key
enter information using a keyboard
He keyed into the computer all the data from the survey.
important for solving a problem
Innovation is key to solving climate change.
make someone excited or nervous
The loud music keyed up the crowd before the show..
tool for opening cans and bottles
He used a church key to open the soda can.
essential factor for achieving success
Determination is often seen as the key to success.
device used to secure something
The treasure chest was secured with a lock and key.
not in harmony with the musical key
The singer was out of key during the performance.
be essential for achieving something
His support holds the key to our success.
crucial element enabling achievement
Education is a key for success in life.
ready for immediate use or operation
The apartment is key in hand for the new tenants.
target or aim at something specific
The marketing campaign keyed in on young adults.
crucial piece of information or solution
The key to the puzzle was hidden in the first chapter of the book.
symbolic key given to honor someone with city privileges
The mayor gave her the key to the city.
crucial element for achieving success
Her determination was the key to the kingdom in her career.
imprison someone indefinitely without release
The judge wanted to throw away the key.
being sure helps achieve goals
Confidence is key to success in any field.
building relationships is essential for achieving goals
For career growth, connections are key to finding opportunities.
in a way that is subdued or melancholic
The song was performed in a minor key, evoking a sense of sadness.
important information that solves a mystery
The letter was the key to the mystery.
turn off using a key
He keyed off the engine before leaving.
list of correct answers for a test or exercise
The teacher handed out the answer key after the exam.
device used to unlock or start a car
I lost my car key in the parking lot.
plastic card used to unlock doors electronically
She used her card key to enter the hotel room.
key fob that uses electronic signals to lock or unlock a car
She pressed the electronic car key to unlock the doors.
Terms related to skeleton key
💡 Terms in the same lexical field: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, hypernyms…
View all translations of skeleton key
✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:passe-partout, ...
- German:Generalschlüssel, ...
- Italian:chiave passe-partout, ...
- Spanish:llave maestra, ...
- Portuguese:chave mestra, ...
- Chinese:万能钥匙, ...
- Japanese:マスターキー, ...
- Arabic:مفتاح رَئيسي, ...
- Hebrew:מַפְתֵּחַ אוּנִיבֶרְסָלִי, ...
- Russian:отмычка, ...
- Ukrainian:відмичка, ...
- Hindi:कंकाल चाबी, ...
- Bengali:স্কেলেটন চাবি, ...
- Catalan:clau mestra, ...
- Czech:paklíč, ...
- Danish:universalnøgle, ...
- Dutch:loper, ...
- Greek:κλειδί σκελετό, ...
- Hungarian:álkulcs, ...
- Khmer:កូនសោមេ, ...
- Korean:마스터 키, ...
- Persian:کلید همهکاره, ...
- Polish:wytrych, ...
- Portuguese (BR):chave mestra, ...
- Romanian:cheie universală, ...
- Swedish:dyrknyckel, ...
- Thai:กุญแจผี, ...
- Turkish:iskelet anahtar, ...
- Vietnamese:chìa khóa vạn năng, ...
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