skeleton key
A very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft and a single, minimal…A very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft (sometimes called a "shank") and a single, minimal flat, rectangular tooth or "bit".
» Do you have the skeleton key?
Hast du den Dietrich?
Habt ihr den Dietrich?
Haben Sie den Dietrich?
Meaning
4 sensesA very simple design of key that usually has a cylindrical shaft (sometimes called a "shank") and a single, minimal flat, rectangular tooth or "bit".
A key that has parts filed away so that it will open a range of locks.
ключ от всех двере́йključ ot vsex dveréj
a passkey with much of the bit filed away so that it can open different locks
A master key.
(figuratively)A key (A crucial step or requirement) or (An idea, theory or observation that explains, justifies or renders (something) comprehensible).
The skeleton key to this plan is the marketing, which will make the plan make sense when you see it.
Examples
2 sentencesDo you have the skeleton key?
deHast du den Dietrich? — Waldelfe
Tom has a skeleton key.
ruУ Тома есть отмычка. — Selena777
deTom hat einen Dietrich. — Esperantostern
Translations
5 languagesBy meaning 1
Forms
plural: skeleton keys| Singular | skeleton key |
|---|---|
| Plural | skeleton keys |
regular