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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Skeleton in the Cupboard (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "Skeleton in the Cupboard"?
Meaning to have hidden away a shameful or embarrassing secret, the term skeleton in the cupboard originates from the legalisation of human body dissections. Grave diggers would present corpses to doctors to dissect and, because of the controversy, the doctors would hide away their secrets in a locked cupboard.Table of Contents
- English Proverbs and Idioms Test
- More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Examples of Use:
- Every family has a skeleton in their cupboard. Ours is Uncle John.
- My friend refuses to talk about her childhood. I wonder if she has a skeleton in her cupboard?
- Eric won't talk about his first marriage. There's definitely a skeleton in that cupboard.
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Buy the Grammar Monster book.
Suitable for: Teachers, advanced students, and business writers.
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
- A-Z Grammar Glossary (This section explains grammar terminology, from the basics to advanced terms. It is especially useful because every entry concludes with a valuable and succinct explanation of why the grammar term matters for a writer.)
- A-Z of Punctuation (Packed with entertaining examples, this section provides definitive, well-explained rules for using all the principal punctuation marks. Punctuation should not be guesswork. There are rules.)
- A-Z of Easily Confused Words (This section covers all the homonyms and near homonyms that plague writers and offers tips on how to remember which to use.)
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