air one's dirty linen in public

air one's dirty linen in public
air one's dirty linen in public & wash one's dirty linen in public
Fig. to discuss private or embarrassing matters in public, especially when quarreling. (This

linen

refers to sheets and tablecloths or other soiled cloth.) •

They are arguing again. Why must they always air their dirty linen in public?

She will talk to anyone about her problems. Why does she wash her dirty linen in public?

* * *
or[wash one's dirty linen in public] {v. phr.} To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent and the principal were angry with each other because they aired their dirty linen in public./ * /No one knew that the boys' mother was a drug addict, because the family did not wash its dirty linen in public./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • air one's dirty linen in public — or[wash one s dirty linen in public] {v. phr.} To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent and the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • air\ one's\ dirty\ linen\ in\ public — • air one s dirty linen in public • wash one s dirty linen in public v. phr. To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. Everyone in the school knew that… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • air one's dirty linen in public — • air one s dirty laundry/linen in public make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleagues dirty laundry in public …   Idioms and examples

  • wash or air one's dirty linen in public — idi wash or air one s dirty linen in public, to reveal one s secrets or shame to outsiders …   From formal English to slang

  • wash one's dirty linen in public — See: AIR ONE S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • wash one's dirty linen in public — See: AIR ONE S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • wash\ one's\ dirty\ linen\ in\ public — • air one s dirty linen in public • wash one s dirty linen in public v. phr. To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. Everyone in the school knew that… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • air one's dirty laundry in public — • air one s dirty laundry/linen in public make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleagues dirty laundry in public …   Idioms and examples

  • dirty linen — /dɜti ˈlɪnən/ (say dertee linuhn) noun 1. soiled laundry. 2. private history, especially that of a scandalous nature. –phrase 3. wash (or air) one s dirty linen in public, Colloquial to reveal or discuss matters of a scandalous nature from one s… …  

  • dirty linen — noun personal matters that could be embarrassing if made public • Syn: ↑dirty laundry • Hypernyms: ↑personal business, ↑personal matters, ↑affairs * * * noun : private or domestic matters whose exposure in public would bring shame or… …   Useful english dictionary

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