bare (redirected from baring)

bare something

the smallest or least possible. Bob did the bare minimum of work to pass the class. Food, clothing, and shelter are the bare necessities of life.

bare something to someone

to reveal or disclose something to someone. I have to know a guy pretty well before I will bare my innermost thoughts to him. Our criminal involvement was bared to the judge.

bare one's soul (to someone)

Fig. to reveal one's innermost thoughts to someone; to tell another person exactly how one feels about someone or something. Mary bared her soul to Jane and Jane told Mary her problems also. You don't have to bare your soul to me. Just tell me why you are crying.

See also: soul

bare-bones

Cliché limited; stripped down; lacking refinements or extras. This one is the bare-bones model. It has no accessories at all.

show one's teeth and bare one's teeth

Fig. to act in an angry or threatening manner. (Alludes to what an angry wolf or dog does.) We thought Bob was meek and mild, but he really showed his teeth when Jack insulted his girlfriend. The enemy forces didn't expect the country they invaded to bare its teeth.

See also: show, teeth

stand there with one's bare face hanging out

Rur. to stand some place looking helpless and stupid. Say something. Don't just stand there with your bare face hanging out. she just stood there with her bare face hanging out while they took away everything she owned.

See also: face, hanging, out, stand

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bare your heart/soul

to tell someone your secret thoughts and feelings (often + to ) We don't know each other that well. I certainly wouldn't bare my heart to her.

See also: heart

lay bare something

to discover or tell people about something that was not previously known or was previously kept secret It's been promoted as the biography that lays bare the truth behind the legend.

See also: lay

show your teeth

to show that you are angry and prepared to defend yourself Come on, let him know you're angry - show your teeth!

See also: show, teeth

the bare bones

the most basic parts of something, without any detail We believe we have the bare bones of an agreement. Reduced to its bare bones, the theory states that animals adapt to suit their surroundings.

See also: bone

with your bare hands

without using any type of tool or weapon The court heard how Roberts strangled the woman with his bare hands.

See lay bare

See also: hand

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bare your soul

to express your secret thoughts and feelings Although people are willing to bare their souls about subjects like rape, grief is still a difficult subject to talk about.

Related vocabulary: lay bare something

See also: soul

lay bare something (slightly formal) also lay something bare

to make something obvious that was not known before Her story lays bare the conflicts between two ambitious brothers. The trial was the first to lay bare the secrets of the organization.

Related vocabulary: bare your soul

See also: lay