Definition of near the bone

[Vishal]

Test No. incompl/advan-52 "Bones", question 8

Although the TV programme was funny, my aunt was a bit shocked because some of the jokes were a bit ......... the bones.

(a) next
(b) close
(c) near
(d) by

Test No. incompl/advan-52 "Bones", answer 8

Although the TV programme was funny, my aunt was a bit shocked because some of the jokes were a bit near the bones.

Correct answer: (c) near

Your answer was: incorrect
Although the TV programme was funny, my aunt was a bit shocked because some of the jokes were a bit close the bones.
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What is the difference between near the bones and close to the bones?

[Alan]

This is a set expression/idiom and the only possibility is near the bone. Incidentally the word bone here should be singular and we will have to change this.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Reflections

[rich7]

ok Alan but what would be the meaning of said expression?
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I should have been born in the USA.
I've got this thing about America.

[Alan]

Something described as near the bone and is very often a joke or humorous anecdote, refers to comments that might be offensive to another person. These can be but not always of a sexual or racial nature.
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Conditionals