dirty linen

English

Noun

dirty linen (uncountable)

1. Matters of an embarrassing or unsavoury nature that one would normally wish to keep private.

   A lot of dirty linen was exposed during the inquiry.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dirty,‎ linen.

   Hotels generate a lot of dirty linen.

Usage notes

• Also used in expressions such as wash (or air) one's dirty linen in public.

See also

• dirty laundry