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skeleton staff
01
the minimum staff required for a business to run at a basic level
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "skeleton staff" and when to use it?
The idiom "skeleton staff" originates from the idea of a skeletal structure, which provides the basic support necessary for an organism or structure to survive. The phrase is used to describe any situation where the bare minimum of resources or personnel is used to accomplish a task or goal.
Examples
The store stayed open with a skeleton staff during the storm.
