1skel·e·ton 
/ˈskɛlətən/ noun
plural skel·e·tons /ˈskɛlətən/ noun [count] 1 a : the structure of bones that supports the body of a person or animal
▪ They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon.
b : a set or model of all the bones in the body of a person
▪ He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween. — see picture at human 2 : a very thin person or animal
▪ She was a skeleton after her illness. 3 a : the frame of a building
▪ Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire.
b : a basic outline of a plan, piece of writing, etc.
▪ We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published. ▪ a skeleton draft
▪ They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon.
b : a set or model of all the bones in the body of a person
▪ He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween. — see picture at human
▪ She was a skeleton after her illness.
▪ Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire.
b : a basic outline of a plan, piece of writing, etc.
▪ We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published. ▪ a skeleton draft
skeletons in the/your closet or Brit skeletons in the/your cupboard
informal : something bad or embarrassing that happened in your past and that is kept secret
▪ He asked if she had any skeletons in her closet that might affect her political campaign.
▪ He asked if she had any skeletons in her closet that might affect her political campaign.
