Skinning

Skinning, in its most common usage, refers to the act of removing the skin from an animal carcass. This often involves cutting, separating, and peeling away the outer layer, primarily for food, leather production, or other material uses. Figuratively, skinning can also describe harshly extracting money or exploiting someone. It can imply stripping something down or away, revealing the underlying core. More broadly, skinning can refer to processes like creating a user interface 'skin' or removing a layer from an object.

Skinning meaning with examples

• The hunters spent the afternoon skinning the deer they had caught, carefully separating the hide to be tanned later. Their skill and experience made the process quick and efficient. They had skinned several animals in the past, understanding the delicate balance of cutting through flesh and staying clear of muscle. The successful skinning allowed for a supply of fresh venison and materials for trade.
• The unscrupulous businessman was accused of 'skinning' his investors through a series of deceptive schemes, draining their funds. The investigation revealed a complex web of illegal activities. He was found guilty of misrepresentation and financial mismanagement, leaving many investors in financial ruin. The authorities charged him with fraud and other related crimes. His actions resulted in a severe sentence and a reputation tarnished beyond repair.
• In the software development process, the UI designer worked on skinning the application, developing various themes to create an appealing user experience. The goal was to improve user engagement and accessibility, resulting in a modern and customized layout. Different skins or themes gave users the ability to personalize the look and feel, with various colour schemes to make it easier to use. Testing and feedback were crucial to ensure usability.
• After finding the perfect site for their home, the property developers are considering skinning the old building that stands there to make room for their project. They are now looking to acquire permits to be able to demolish the site and begin the development process. The plan will drastically modernize the location and the buildings currently on site, including the old building with its original features.
• The archaeologist carefully began skinning the fragile artefacts they'd discovered, brushing away layers of dirt and sand. Their gentle methods helped preserve the delicate remnants of the past. They removed layers carefully, documenting each step, allowing them to recover the items for study and preservation. The aim was to uncover the details of the ancient civilization.