public (redirected from publics)

be in the public eye

if someone is in the public eye, they are famous and are written about in newspapers and magazines and seen on television. It's not always easy being in the public eye.

See also: eye

Joe Public (British, informal)

the public. The test of any new product is will Joe Public buy it?

See also: joe

John Q Public (American, humorous)

the public. You have to ask yourself what John Q Public will think when he hears about the government overspending.

See also: john

public enemy number one

someone or something that many people do not like or approve of. Inflation has been public enemy number one for this government.

See also: enemy, number

wash your dirty laundry/linen in public (British & Australian, American & Australian)

to talk to other people about personal things that you should keep private. I was brought up to believe that it was wrong to wash your dirty linen in public.

See also: dirty, laundry, wash

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go public

to become a company in which anyone can invest. It's the latest Internet company to go public and then immediately go bankrupt.

go public (with something)

to make something known that was secret before. If she goes public with her story, the school's reputation will suffer.

in the public eye

known and talked about by many people. The former senator remained in the public eye even after retirement. We need to keep education in the public eye if we want support for improvements in our schools.

Usage notes: the opposite meaning is expressed by out of the public eye: Illness kept the actor out of the public eye for eighteen months.

See also: eye