空架子

zhǐ shèng xia gè kōng jià zi

只剩下个空架子

all that was left was a mere shell

zhè piān wén zhāng wǒ zhǐ dā le gè kōng jià zi

这篇文章我只搭了个空架子。

I have only worked out a bare outline for the essay.

nà jiā gōng sī wán quán shì kōng jià zi

那家公司完全是空架子。

That company is only a mere skeleton.

yī jiā lǚ guǎn shāo huǐ hòu shèng xia de kōng jià zi

一家旅馆烧毁后剩下的空架子

the burnt-out shell of a hotel