the bare bones

bare bones

1. noun The essential and most elementary parts of something; a general outline or summary. Please don't go through each line item in the budget—just give me the bare bones.
2. adjective Minimally furnished or adorned. The apartment is pretty bare bones, but rent is cheap, and I don't spend much time there, so I don't mind.
See also: bare, bone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bare bones

The mere essentials or plain, unadorned framework of something, as in This outline gives just the bare bones of the story; details will come later. This phrase transfers the naked skeleton of a body to figurative use. [c. 1900]
See also: bare, bone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the bare bones

COMMON The bare bones of something are its most basic parts or details. We worked out the bare bones of a deal. We needed to strip the flat down to its bare bones. It was a terrific engineering and architectural challenge. Note: You can use bare-bones before a noun. The mayor will have to slash the city's already bare-bones budget.
See also: bare, bone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the bare bones

the basic facts about something, without any detail.
See also: bare, bone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the bare ˈbones (of something)

the main or basic facts of a matter: I had so little time that I could only tell him the bare bones of the story and had to supply the details later.
See also: bare, bone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • bummer
  • angle
  • angling
  • mickey mouse
  • rear end
  • garbage
  • fire and brimstone
References in classic literature
I say what other people only think, and when all the rest of the world is in a conspiracy to accept the mask for the true face, mine is the rash hand that tears off the plump pasteboard, and shows the bare bones beneath.
The Woman in White
Lastly, there they were, sitting on the desolate shore of this very island, hungry and downcast, and looking ruefully at the bare bones of the stag which they devoured yesterday.
Tanglewood Tales
JIM GOODWIN admits St Mirren are "down to the bare bones" already - but isn't losing sleep over their Betfred Cup body blow.
Goodwin's running out of Buddies after Betfred hell
The fact of the matter is Brentford have a midfielder Nico Yennaris at right back, centre back Yoann Barbet at left back and the inexperienced but talented Mepham in the middle which shows how the club are down to the bare bones.
Brentford boss explains Ollie Watkins and John Egan absences and hails squad strength; The lively forward missed the 2-1 win over Aston Villa with a foot injury sustained in the victory over Norwich on Friday night
Gateacre School took part in the Bare Bones Tour of Liverpool as part of this year's Hallowe'en Lantern Parade
GATEACRE School drama students [...]
And Grayson (below) revealed: "Having lost Paddy McCarthy a couple of weeks ago and Paul Huntington is just not quite ready, centre-half is a position where we are down to the bare bones. Chris Humphrey has a stress fracture and will be out for two months.
NEW SETBACK FOR GRAYSON
"We are down to the bare bones with injuries and suspensions."
Archibald will block O'Donnell move bid
Having received a rapturous response at various African and Black Film Festivals, the movie of their incredible journey, They Are We, is now coming to Oklahoma for the Bare Bones Festival.
Africa and Afro-Cubans Reunite at Bare Bones
The Boro boss, already "down to the bare bones" after being able to name only four substitutes for Saturday's goalless draw against the Skrill South side, is now sweating on Hibbert, who complained of a tight hamstring at the weekend.
Boro squad stretched by injury scares; Depleted Boro hit by injuries FOOTBALL
Summary: A veritable musical institution, MTV's Unplugged series has always endeavoured to bring audiences the bare bones of popular artists' work, allowing performers to record a set for broadcast with the minimal amount of accompaniment.
KK, Shalmali to perform at MTV concert tonight
In the words of whoever commentates tonight: "Make no bones about it, this is mustwin for Watford!" Gianfranco Zola has a few players out so I suppose he is "down to the bare bones", as Harry Redknapp would say, while Watford striker Troy Deeney is apparently "like a dog with a bone" at the moment.
PICK OF tHe DAY; Pick the bones out of Hornets' trip to Foxes
DICKIE ORD admits Durham City are down to the bare bones as they prepare to face highflying Witton Albion this weekend.
Durham down to the bare bones
Once again Rangers have been hit by injuries and suspensions, and Crease acknowledges his side are "down to the bare bones" for today's game.
SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION
The Villa boss said he would not be making many moves in the January transfer market despite being down to the bare bones at present.
Houllier's after two new stars
"Harry won't be the only one down to the bare bones if the archaeologists decide an excavation is needed," said a source.
Harry may be down to bare bones (literally)