dirty linen
Embarrassing private matters
Dirty linen is personal matters or family secrets that would cause embarrassment if made public.
The phrase appears most often in the expression wash one's dirty linen in public, meaning to discuss private troubles openly: The divorce proceedings became an opportunity to air their dirty linen.
Also *dirty laundry*.
Informal talk spreading rumors
- secretsConcealed information
- exposeMake known publicly
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- disgraceLoss of honor
family secrets · public eye · revelation · cover-up · indiscretion · rumor · tabloid · leak
Obstruct or clothes basket
- stainsDiscolorations on surfaces
- washing machineAppliance for laundering textiles
- detergentChemical cleaning agent
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
fabric softener · clothesline · dryer · laundromat · washbasin · basket · soiled · bedsheets
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
disgrace · family secrets · public eye · revelation · cover-up · indiscretion · rumor · tabloid · leak · whistleblower
hamper
Obstruct or clothes basket
- stainsDiscolorations on surfaces
- washing machineAppliance for laundering textiles
- detergentChemical cleaning agent
bleach · fabric softener · clothesline · dryer · laundromat · washbasin · basket · soiled · bedsheets · towels
dirty linenpublic record
Officially accessible government information
open book · public knowledge · matter of record · common knowledge · official record
dirty linenclean record
Absence of prior offenses
good name · good reputation · spotless record · badge of honor · crowning glory
dirty, linen, dirt, dirtier, dirtiest, dirtily, dirtiness, linens