skinny up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To climb up a thin pole or tree by squeezing and pulling yourself up.
Literal meaning: To move upward by making yourself skinny (slim) against a narrow object.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To climb a narrow pole, tree, or similar object by gripping it with the arms and legs.
"The kid skinny up the flagpole in about ten seconds to retrieve the kite."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Chiefly American dialectal English. Largely synonymous with 'shimmy up' or 'shinny up'. Uncommon outside of certain regional dialects; learners should prefer 'climb up' or 'shimmy up'.
Commonly used with
pole tree rope flagpole post
Forms
Base
skinny up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
skinnies up
he/she/it
Past simple
skinnied up
yesterday
Past participle
skinnied up
have + pp
-ing form
skinnying up
continuous
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