slim

slim chance

A very small possibility. There's a slim chance that the computer will reboot as normal, but it's much more likely that we'll have to reinstall the operating system. It's only a slim chance that we'll make the plane, at this rate. We may need to book new tickets.

See also: chance, slim

slim down

1. To become more slender; to lose weight. I'm trying to slim down in time for the wedding. I'm not all that overweight, but slimming down a little bit would really help my self-confidence.

2. To make something more slender or less bulky. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "slim" and "down." The company has been slimming down their smartphones over the past few years. No matter how much I diet or exercise, I just can't seem to slim my thighs down.

See also: down, slim

slim pickings

A very small or limited amount to choose from, especially after others have taken from what was originally available. By the time I got to the sale, it was pretty slim pickings left on the racks. A: "Is there any food left from the party?" B: "Just some slim pickings."

See also: picking, slim

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

slim chance

a slight chance; a small chance. There is a slim chance that I will arrive on Monday, but Tuesday is more likely.

See also: chance, slim

slim down

to become thinner; to lose weight. You have really slimmed down a lot since I last saw you. I need to eat less so I can slim down. He slimmed down quite a bit after he had his health problem.

See also: down, slim

slim someone down

to cause someone to lose weight. They started to slim her down in the hospital, but she gained the weight back as soon as she got out. The dietitian slimmed down all the patients under his care.

See also: down, slim

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

slim pickings

A small amount left after others have taken a share. For example, After each of the children took what they wanted of Mother's things, it was slim pickings for the rest of the family . This expression alludes to animals devouring a carcass. [Early 1600s]

See also: picking, slim

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

slim down

v.

To lose weight, as by dieting or exercise: I was overweight, so I decided to slim down.

See also: down, slim

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

iceberg slim

1. n. a pimp. When iceberg slim came by in his pimpmobile, Jed made a rude sign at him.

2. n. a person who exploits others; a cold, heartless person. The guy’s a regular iceberg slim.

See also: iceberg, slim

slim

n. a tobacco cigarette. (The same as straight, as opposed to a marijuana cigarette, which may be thicker.) I’ll take a slim and a little mist, thanks.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

slim pickings

Little left to profit from; a small reward, scarcely worth the effort. This term, alluding to animals devouring a carcass of prey or carrion, has been around since at least the seventeenth century, and the idea is much older yet. John Milton used it in Smectymnus (1642): “The Vulturs had then but small pickings.”

See also: picking, slim

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer