dirty linen

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun dirty linen has 1 sense

dirty linen, dirty laundry - personal matters that could be embarrassing if made public
--₁ is a kind of personal business, personal matters, affairs

Definitions from the Web

Term: Dirty Linen

Definition:

Dirty linen refers to soiled or unwashed garments or household linens, such as bedsheets, towels, or clothing.

Sense 1:

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Soiled or unwashed garments or linens

Dirty linen should always be separated from clean laundry to avoid spreading germs.

Example Sentence: I better gather all the dirty linen from the rooms and put them in the laundry.

Sense 2:

Part of Speech: Idiom

Definition: Disgraceful or embarrassing secrets or actions

He was afraid his dirty linen would be aired in public if he revealed the truth about his past.

Example Sentence: They decided to keep their arguments private and not wash their dirty linen in public.