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.
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
