Flesh out means add detail to a rough idea: the outline is promising, but it needs to be fleshed out. The image is direct: flesh is what covers the bones, so you put examples, numbers and details on the bare skeleton of an idea. Often with with: the designer fleshed the concept out with sketches.
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flesh out a plan; flesh a plan out; flesh it out with details
- We need interviews to flesh out the report.
- The designer fleshed the concept out with sketches.
- The outline is promising, but it needs to be fleshed out.
What changed
First versionThe outline is clear; now flesh out it with examples.
RevisionThe outline is clear; now flesh it out with examples.
Most verbs take the object right after them, so flesh out it looks logical. But with a phrasal verb, a pronoun goes between the parts: flesh it out. With a noun both orders work: flesh out the plan or flesh the plan out.
Fill out means complete a form: fill out the form. Flush out means drive something out of hiding, like game, or bring the truth out: flush out the truth. Flesh out means develop an idea with details: flesh out the proposal. Three similar words, three different jobs.
Your turn
Choose the correct pronoun position: This is only an outline; please ___.
Show the answer
flesh it out — The pronoun it goes between flesh and out. Flesh out it sounds wrong.
Take a short idea, a trip, a project or a party, and say what details would flesh it out.
We can flesh out the proposal with a timetable and a list of required materials.
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