skeleton in the closet

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun skeleton in the closet has 1 sense

skeleton, skeleton in the closet, skeleton in the cupboard - a scandal that is kept secret; "there must be a skeleton somewhere in that family's closet"
--₁ is a kind of scandal, outrage

Definitions from the Web

Skeleton in the Closet

Part of Speech: Idiomatic expression

Senses:

Something embarrassing or unpleasant about a person that they want to keep hidden or secret.
A hidden or forgotten secret that may cause trouble if it is revealed.
A shameful or shocking fact about a person's past that they wish to conceal.

Usages:

Popular: The phrase "skeleton in the closet" is commonly used in informal conversation and writing to refer to a person's hidden or embarrassing secret.
Local: In certain regions, "skeleton in the cupboard" may be used as an alternative form of this idiom.

Sample Sentences:

He was always afraid that his criminal record would be discovered, so he kept his past as a skeleton in the closet.
Despite her successful career, she has a skeleton in the closet that could ruin her reputation if revealed.
Every family has a skeleton in the closet; it's just a matter of time before the truth comes out.

Related products:

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