one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public
- one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public
It is unwise to publicize private disputes or scandals. The saying is very often used in the metaphorical phrase to wash one’s dirty linen in public. Cf. Fr. c’est en famille, ce n’est pas en publique, qu’on lave son linge sale, one washes one’s dirty linen amongst the family, not in public.
1809 T. G. FESSENDEN Pills 45 The man has always had a great itch for scribbling, and has mostly been so fortunate as to procure somebody who pitied his ignorance, to ‘wash his dirty linen’.
1867 TROLLOPE Last Chronicle of Barset II. xliv. I do not like to trouble you with my private affairs;—there is nothing..so bad as washing one’s dirty linen in public.
1886 E. J. HARDY How to be Happy though Married i. Married people..should remember the proverb about the home-washing of soiled linen.
1942 ‘P. WENTWORTH’ Danger Point xlviii. The case..will be dropped... There’s nothing to be gained by washing a lot of dirty linen in public.
1980 T. HOLME Neapolitan Steak 199 Her look raked him from head to toe. ‘One does not wash one’s Dirty Linen in Public, commissario.’
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air one's dirty linen in public — or[wash one s dirty linen in public] {v. phr.} To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent and the… … Dictionary of American idioms
air one's dirty linen in public — or[wash one s dirty linen in public] {v. phr.} To talk about your private quarrels or disgraces where others can hear; make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret. * /Everyone in the school knew that the superintendent and the… … Dictionary of American idioms
dirty — see dirty water will quench fire it’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest don’t throw out your dirty water until you get in fresh one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public … Proverbs new dictionary
linen — see never choose your women or your linen by candlelight one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public … Proverbs new dictionary
wash — see one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public one hand washes the other … Proverbs new dictionary
public — see one does not wash one’s dirty linen in public … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
disclosure — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Bringing to light Nouns 1. disclosure, divulgence, unveiling, revealing, revealment, revelation; exposition, exposure, expose; whole truth; telling (see information); acknowledgment, admission,… … English dictionary for students
literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… … Universalium
Washing machine — This article is about the laundry cleaning apparatus. For the Sonic Youth album, see Washing Machine (album). A typical modern front loading washing machine Irreler Bauerntradition shows an early Miele was … Wikipedia
