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.

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 • Sep. 11, 2023

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

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2023

The two hand-delivered the resolution to the city government in Novorossiysk along with a symbolic large golden skeleton key.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 18, 2022

This word—“predations,” which Shapiro deployed repeatedly—is the skeleton key to this entire debate.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2022

And lots of things I’ve collected: shells, rocks, a tiny glass elephant, a blackened old skeleton key my grandmother found in a chest but which unlocks nothing.

From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord