Bad to the bone vs. dry to the bone

[Deya]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #67 "Dry as you like", question 5

There was a terrible storm on the night we first stayed at the campsite but we were all right with our tent and were as dry as a ..........

(a) cover
(b) bone
(c) coat
(d) sheet

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #67 "Dry as you like", answer 5

There was a terrible storm on the night we first stayed at the campsite but we were all right with our tent and were as dry as a bone.

Correct answer: (b) bone

Your answer was: correct
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Hi,
I thought it is 'dry to the bone' but I've probably mistaken it with 'bad to the bone', havent I.

Deya

[Alan]

Hi Deya,

Dry as a bone is the accepted simile - your expression is unknown to me.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Relative Pronoun

[Deya]

I just wanted to make sure there is on such un expression.
I've probably misheard something that sounds similar to it.

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes, Deya-- bad to the bone means thoroughly bad. Probably popularized by the George Thorogood song.
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber