linen
(redirected from linens)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
(one) does not wash (one's) dirty linen in public
proverb One does not discuss very private, personal matters, especially those that may be embarrassing, in public or with other people. It always makes me uncomfortable when John starts going into all his personal problems whenever our friends get together. I do not wash my dirty linen in public, and I wish he wouldn't either! Kids, please don't say anything inappropriate in front of your grandmother—she definitely believes that one does not wash one's dirty linen in public.
air (one's) dirty linen in public
To discuss very private, personal matters, especially that which may be embarrassing, in public or with other people. It always makes me uncomfortable when John starts going into all his personal problems whenever our friends get together. I just wish he wouldn't air his dirty linen in public like that. People have an unnatural fixation on the personal lives of celebrities, but I don't see why they should be expected to air their dirty linen in public.
dirty linen
One's personal, intimate, or private matters or secrets, especially that which may be embarrassing if made public. From the expression "don't wash/air your dirty linen in public." Those who consider running for public office must be aware that their dirty linen is likely to be exposed to the public. David is such a gossip, always talking about other people's dirty linen.
don't wash your dirty linen in public
proverb Do not discuss very private, personal matters, especially those that may be embarrassing, in public or with other people. Hey, please don't wash your dirty linen in public—it makes me uncomfortable.
wash (one's) dirty linen in public
To discuss very private, personal matters, especially that which may be sensitive or embarrassing, in public or with other people. It always makes me uncomfortable when John starts going into all his personal problems whenever our friends get together. I just wish he wouldn't wash his dirty linen in public like that. People have an unnatural fixation on the personal lives of celebrities, but I don't see why they should be expected to wash their dirty linen in public.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
air one's dirty linen in public
and wash one's dirty linen in publicFig. 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?
Do not wash your dirty linen in public.
Prov. Do not talk about your private family problems in public. Grandson: How are we going to make Dad stop drinking? Grandmother: Hush! Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
wash one's dirty linen in public
Also air one's dirty linen or laundry . Expose private matters to public view, especially unsavory secrets. These metaphors are reworkings of a French proverb, Il faut laver son linge sale en famille ("One should wash one's dirty linen at home"), which was quoted by Napoleon on his return from Elba (1815). It was first recorded in English in 1867.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wash your dirty linen in public
mainly BRITISH orwash your dirty laundry in public
mainly BRITISH orair your dirty linen in public
mainly AMERICAN orair your dirty laundry in public
mainly AMERICANCOMMON If someone washes their dirty linen in public or washes their dirty laundry in public, they talk publicly about unpleasant matters that should be private. We shouldn't wash our dirty laundry in public and if I was in his position, I'd say nothing at all. She thinks she can score points by airing the family's dirty linen in public. Note: There are many other variations of this expression. For example, you can leave out `in public' or `dirty'. In Spain, it seems, airing dirty linen is considered more serious than any offence itself. My brother has washed that linen in public and embarrassed me. Note: You can also just talk about dirty linen or dirty laundry to mean unpleasant facts that should remain private. We know much more than we ever did before about the doings of Congressmen. So, we're seeing more dirty laundry. It is certainly a huge disadvantage of being famous that everyone wants to see your dirty linen.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
wash your dirty linen in public
discuss or argue about your personal affairs in public.This expression dates from the early 19th century in English; a similar French expression about linge sale is attributed to Napoleon.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
wash your dirty linen in ˈpublic
(British English, disapproving) talk or write about unpleasant or embarrassing private difficulties in public: Nobody must mention these problems at the meeting. I don’t want our dirty linen washed in public.In this idiom, linen refers to clothes, especially underwear.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
dirty linen
and dirty laundry n. scandal; unpleasant private matters. I wish you wouldn’t put our dirty linen out for everyone to see. She seems always to drag out her dirty linen whenever possible.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
wash one's dirty linen in public, to
To expose one’s private affairs in public, particularly any unsavory family secrets. This metaphor is a French proverb that became famous when Napoleon used it in a speech before the French Assembly upon his return from exile in Elba in 1815. It was picked up by numerous English writers, among them Trollope, who wrote (The Last Chronicle of Barset, 1867), “There is nothing, I think, so bad as washing one’s dirty linen in public.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer