skeleton key

A brass skeleton key stabbed through its middle like a fork.

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.

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

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

Alaric pursed his lips and looked around before opening a drawer behind him with a skeleton key.