open the kimono
To reveal confidential information, especially details of one's business operations.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The company had to open the kimono to show their financial records.”
“You must open the kimono if you want us to trust your business plan.”
“We never open the kimono to our competitors during a trade show.”
“Before the merger, the CEO agreed to open the kimono and share all internal data with the potential buyers.”
“The startup founders decided to open the kimono and show the investors their secret software code to prove the product works.”
“After months of secrecy, the department head finally opened the kimono regarding the true costs of the failed project.”
“During the rigorous audit, the management team was forced to open the kimono, revealing the intricate and previously hidden details of their supply chain operations.”
disputed origin
Unknown. Possibly a calque of Japanese 胸襟を開く (“to share one's feelings”, literally “to open one's collar”) or Japanese 裃を脱ぐ (“to be frank”, literally “to take off one's haori and hakama (two garments worn over a kimono)”).
- 01
keep a weather eye open
to maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying one's full attention.
- 02
keep an eye open
To remain vigilant for someone or something.
- 03
keep one's ears open
to listen for important information.
- 04
keep one's options open
To not commit to a decision, to keep various options available.
- 05
kick at an open door
To carry out a redundant activity.
- 06
leave the door open
To maintain the possibility of something happening in the future.
- 07
open a can of whoop ass
A good-humored threat of physical harm.
- 08
open book
Something whose salient aspects are obvious or easily interpreted.
Last updated August 10, 2026