thin as a rail

Idioms and Phrases

Very slender, as in I do not know why she's dieting; she's thin as a rail already . This simile, which uses rail in the sense of “a narrow bar,” has largely replaced such other versions as thin as a lath or rake , although the latter is still common in Britain. [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

No quite tall as me, but thin as a rail.

From Literature

Lee: It’s well known that Audrey was as thin as a rail, which was true.

From Fox News

Thin as a rail, with a sparse mustache, he would sometimes have little idea about where or who he was.

From New York Times

He was sensational, thin as a rail but with amazing power – and very strong.

From The Guardian

First of all, she was thin as a rail.

From Literature

Related Words

• bony
• gaunt
• scrawny
• skeletal
• skinny