From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclose to the boneclose to the boneHONESTa remark, statement etc that is close to the bone is close to the truth in a way that may offend someone His jokes were a bit close to the bone. → boneclose to the boneclose to the boneif something someone says is close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, especially because it is about something you do not want to admit is true → close
