skeleton key

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Megadoc” is not exactly a skeleton key for understanding “Megalopolis,” but it is useful and insightful, full of scenes of conflict followed by resolution, understanding emerging from confusion.

From Los Angeles Times

The skeleton key to understanding reactionary conservatism is quite simple: they are scared, all the time, of everything.

From Salon

Introducing the 688-page biography this way seems designed to address Musk’s recent turn towards combativeness and cruelty — if not justifying it, then offering a skeleton key to understanding where it’s rooted.

From Los Angeles Times

“Microsoft should not have had a single skeleton key that, when inevitably stolen, could be used to forge access to different customers’ private communications.”

From Seattle Times

Those looking for a felt skeleton key to unlock his various idiosyncrasies aren’t likely to find one.

From New York Times