ENGLISH
REFERENCE

laundry list

idiom
Meaning

A long and often tedious list of items.


Examples
SIMPLE

She gave me a laundry list of complaints.

CONTEXTUAL

The inspector arrived with a laundry list of problems he had found in the building.

COMPLEX

The critic's review contained a laundry list of minor flaws, each one meticulously catalogued with barely concealed satisfaction.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  2. 02

    bucket list

    A list of tasks arising during a meeting that are put aside to be dealt with later.

  3. 03

    clout list

    A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social situation, especially as a result of having personal, professional, or financial relationships with those in authority.

  4. 04

    dirty laundry

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

  5. 05

    honey do list

    A collection of requests, usually a list of household tasks assigned by a partner.

  6. 06

    sick list

    A list of people who are ill.

  7. 07

    wash one's dirty laundry in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

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