what's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One's behavior or characteristics are determined by one's heredity.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “what's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh” mean?
One's behavior or characteristics are determined by one's heredity.
Is “what's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.