close to the bone1 HONESTa remark, statement etc that is close to the bone is close to the truth in a way that may offend someone 〔言论等〕过于直率的,露骨的 His jokes were a bit close to the bone. 他的玩笑有点露骨。
→ close to the bone at bone1(9)
2 if 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 〔某人说的话〕触到痛处的,令人不快的 → close to the bone at close2(4)