1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To add more detail and substance to an idea, plan, or argument.
"The manager asked the team to flesh out their proposal before presenting it to the board."
separable
flesh out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To add more detail, substance, or information to make something more complete.
In plain English
To take a rough idea and add more details so everyone understands it better.
What does "flesh out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To develop a fictional character or narrative with more depth and detail.
"The author spent the second draft fleshing out the minor characters so they felt more real."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To make something fuller or more substantial in a physical or general sense.
"Regular meals helped flesh out his thin frame after the illness."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To add flesh (muscle and substance) to a skeleton — the metaphor helps learners understand the idiomatic leap from bare bones to fully developed.
Actually means
To take a rough idea and add more details so everyone understands it better.
Usage tip
Very common in academic, business, and creative writing contexts. Often used with words like 'idea', 'plan', 'proposal', or 'character'. Almost always transitive.
Words that pair with "flesh out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
idea plan proposal character argument concept
How to conjugate "flesh out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flesh out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fleshes out
he/she/it
Past simple
fleshed out
yesterday
Past participle
fleshed out
have + pp
-ing form
fleshing out
continuous
Hear "flesh out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flesh out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.