skeleton key

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Megadoc” is not exactly a skeleton key for understanding “Megalopolis,” but it is useful and insightful, full of scenes of conflict followed by resolution, understanding emerging from confusion.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025

“Microsoft should not have had a single skeleton key that, when inevitably stolen, could be used to forge access to different customers’ private communications.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 11, 2023

For Grilley, skeletal variation is a kind of skeleton key.

From Slate • May 6, 2023

Those looking for a felt skeleton key to unlock his various idiosyncrasies aren’t likely to find one.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2023

Only a professional, using a specialized "skeleton key," could have turned that lock, Gordievsky thought.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau