dirty linen

noun

1. personal or private matters that could cause embarrassment if made public:

   You didn't have to air our dirty linen to all your friends!

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirty linen¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

"The army is known for not wanting to wash its dirty linen in public," Hadiza Ado, founder of Women and Children Initiative, told the BBC.

From BBC

As soon as I was decent, she led me past the dirty linen and out into the baking sun.

From Literature

"It is still very much a work in progress. An awful lot has been said between the two. So much dirty linen has been put out in the public, so to speak."

From Fox News

I pick up the dirty laundry because the truck comes at 5 and we want to give him as much dirty linen as possible.

From New York Times

Hauling the dirty linen can be tough sometimes for Layher, who stands not quite 5 feet, 2 inches.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• buzz
• chatter
• chitchat
• conversation
• hearsay
• news
• scandal
• slander
• tale