“Swiss cheese” usually means cheese with lots of holes in it, like Emmental or other similar cheeses. The holes are a natural part of how the cheese is made.
In everyday English, people also use “Swiss cheese” as a comparison. They may say something is “like Swiss cheese” when it has many holes, gaps, or missing parts. For example, a plan, a wall, or a piece of information can be described this way if it is full of weaknesses or missing pieces.
Meaning & Usage
Literal meaning: a type of cheese with holes. Figurative meaning: something that is full of gaps, weak spots, or missing parts.
Examples
The old fence was like Swiss cheese, with holes all over it.
Her explanation had so many missing details that it felt like Swiss cheese.
What does “Swiss cheese” mean literally?
Literally, it means a type of cheese known for having holes in it.
What does “like Swiss cheese” mean in speech?
It means something has lots of holes, gaps, or weak points.
Is “Swiss cheese” always used literally?
No. People often use it as a comparison to describe something incomplete or full of holes.
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