a skeleton in the cupboard
skeleton in the/(one's) cupboard
An embarrassing or shameful secret. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. If you've got a skeleton in the cupboard, it will probably be exposed during this campaign. He didn't believe me when I said that I didn't have any skeletons in my cupboard.
See also: cupboard, skeleton
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
a skeleton in the cupboard
a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret.A US variant of this expression is a skeleton in the closet .
See also: cupboard, skeleton
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a skeleton in the ˈcupboard/ˈcloset
something shocking, embarrassing, etc. that has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret: The new presidential candidate is certainly popular, but does he have any skeletons in the closet?See also: closet, cupboard, skeleton
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- skeleton in the/(one's) cupboard
- skeleton in closet
- skeleton in the closet
- skeleton in the/(one's) closet
- a skeleton in the closet
- a skeleton in the cupboard/closet
- hit the buffers
- never live (something) down
- live down
- never hear the end of it