leafless plant; loner; leader without followers
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
leafless plant; bare-stemmed flower
informalOriginally refers to plants that have lost their leaves, often due to weather damage or seasonality, making the stem bare.
After a big windstorm, the flowers in the garden became leafless stems.
This bare-stemmed peony looks a bit pitiful.
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The hailstorm turned the corn into leafless stalks.
noun
loner; isolated person; leader without followers
informalA metaphorical usage referring to someone who is alone, has no support, or is a leader with no subordinates. Often carries a negative or pitiful connotation.
Everyone has left; now he's just a leader with no one to lead.
His wife and kids have all gone abroad, so he's become a loner at home.
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After that department was dissolved, the former manager was left with no team.
His temper is too bad; in the end, he didn't even have anyone to help him, truly becoming an isolated figure.