- (a) skeleton in cupboard
- a skeleton in the/(your) cupboard
British & Australian, American
an embarrassing secret.
If you want to be a successful politician, you can't afford to have too many skeletons in your cupboard.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
(a) skeleton in cupboard
Look at other dictionaries:
Skeleton in the cupboard — Skeleton in the cupboard, or closet, is a colloquial phrase used to describe an undisclosed fact about someone which, if revealed, would have a negative impact on perceptions of the person. Cupboard is usually used in British English and closet… … Wikipedia
skeleton in the/your cupboard — see ↑skeleton, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑cupboard … Useful english dictionary
skeleton in the cupboard (N. Amer. skeleton in the closet) — a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret. → skeleton … English new terms dictionary
skeleton — ► NOUN 1) an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant. 2) a very thin or emaciated person or animal. 3) a supporting framework, basic structure, or… … English terms dictionary
skeleton in the cupboard — ► skeleton in the cupboard a discreditable fact that someone wishes to keep secret. Main Entry: ↑skeleton … English terms dictionary
skeleton — [[t]ske̱lɪt(ə)n[/t]] skeletons 1) N COUNT Your skeleton is the framework of bones in your body. ...a human skeleton. 2) ADJ: ADJ n A skeleton staff is the smallest number of staff necessary in order to run an organization or service. Only a… … English dictionary
cupboard — [[t]kʌ̱bə(r)d[/t]] cupboards 1) N COUNT A cupboard is a piece of furniture that has one or two doors, usually contains shelves, and is used to store things. In British English, cupboard refers to all kinds of furniture like this. In American… … English dictionary
cupboard — noun (C) a piece of furniture with doors, and sometimes shelves, used for storing clothes, plates, food etc: It s in the kitchen cupboard. | The cupboard doors were open. see also: airing cupboard, skeleton in the cupboard skeleton (4) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
skeleton in the closet — noun a scandal that is kept secret there must be a skeleton somewhere in that family s closet • Syn: ↑skeleton, ↑skeleton in the cupboard • Hypernyms: ↑scandal, ↑outrage * * * skeleton in the cupboard … Useful english dictionary
skeleton in the cupboard — noun a scandal that is kept secret there must be a skeleton somewhere in that family s closet • Syn: ↑skeleton, ↑skeleton in the closet • Hypernyms: ↑scandal, ↑outrage * * * skeleton in the cupboard/ … Useful english dictionary
