Swiss cheese

noun

1. a firm, pale-yellow cheese made originally in Switzerland, typically made from cow's milk and having many holes.

Swiss cheese

noun

1. a hard white or pale yellow cheese with holes, such as Gruyère or Emmenthal

Word History and Origins

Origin of Swiss cheese¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Minus rational reform, the Legislature exempts projects one at a time, punching holes in the law — let’s call it the Swiss cheese approach to public policy.

From Los Angeles Times

Unite leader Sharon Graham expressed concern Labour's plan had too many caveats, with "more holes in it than Swiss cheese".

From BBC

“Although it had as much time as needed to prepare, BOP’s operational plan for closure of FCI Dublin was ill-conceived and, like Swiss cheese, full of holes,” the judge wrote Wednesday.

From Seattle Times

I chose a monstera, with its leaves like Swiss cheese, because of its uniqueness.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet we have normalized our safety net made of Swiss cheese and keep chasing after the fickle benevolence of billionaires.

From Seattle Times