Air your laundry

Meaning

Publicly discuss private matters, often causing embarrassment.

Usage

Used to caution against exposing personal problems in public.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Comes from the literal act of hanging laundry to dry, metaphorically meaning airing secrets.

Used in 19th-century English novels warning of social indiscretion.