dirty linen

dirty linen
personal or private matters that could cause embarrassment if made public: You didn't have to air our dirty linen to all your friends! Also called dirty laundry.
[1945-50]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dirty linen — or dirty laundry n. secrets or private problems, esp. those that could cause gossip …   English World dictionary

  • Dirty Linen — For the play, see Dirty Linen and New Found Land. Dirty Linen Editor Paul Hartman Categories Music magazines Folk music Frequency bi monthly First issue 1983 as Fairport Fanatics 1987 as Dirty Linen Company …   Wikipedia

  • 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

  • dirty linen — AND dirty laundry n. scandal; unpleasant private matters. □ I wish you wouldn’t put our dirty linen out for everyone to see. □ I’ve heard enough about her dirty laundry …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • 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 and New-Found-Land — New Found Land redirects here. For other uses, see Newfoundland (disambiguation). Dirty Linen and New Found Land is a pair of two 1976 Tom Stoppard plays that are always performed together. New Found Land interrupts the two parts of Dirty Linen.… …   Wikipedia

  • dirty linen — private matters whose exposure brings embarrassment, past indiscretions, dirty laundry; dirty clothing in need of washing …   English contemporary dictionary

  • dirty linen — noun see dirty laundry …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 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 — 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

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