# dirty laundry

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dirty-laundry
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Unflattering or embarrassing facts, or questionable activities that one wants to remain secret, but which someone else may use as blackmail.

## Examples

- He refuses to air his dirty laundry in public.
- The politician tried to hide his dirty laundry, but the newspaper published every detail of his past mistakes.
- During the heated board meeting, the rival executives began to air their dirty laundry, revealing years of internal corruption to the shocked shareholders.

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