dirty linen
collocation in Englishmeaningsofdirtyandlinen
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withlinen.
dirty
adjective
uk/ˈdɜː.ti/us/ˈdɝː.t̬i/
marked with dirt, mud, etc., or containing something such as pollution ...
See more atdirty
linen
noun[U]
uk/ˈlɪn.ɪn/us/ˈlɪn.ɪn/
strong cloth made from the fibres of the ...
See more atlinen
(Definition ofdirtyandlinenfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofdirty linen
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
It was the usual procedure, about once a week, to wash theirdirtylinenin public.
From theCambridge English Corpus
On the one hand, how can we give lessons to others and be credible without first washing our owndirtylinenin public?
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
I am sure that some of the delegates there were reduced to washing theirdirtylinenin their own bedrooms.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In so many cases it was merely an outlet for spite and blackmail, and washing ofdirtylinenin public.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We want him to come here and wash hisdirtylinenin front of us.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
If there is anydirtylinento be washed, let it be done in the proper place.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Nevertheless, we must face the fact thatdirtylinenhas to be washed.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Obviously, this will result in many bitter wrangles in court and a great deal ofdirtylinenbeing washed.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I think that on the whole it is better to wash one'sdirtylinenin public.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We don't want to have to wash ourdirtylinenin public.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I would return now to my laundries rather than to thedirtylinenrelating to them.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Nobody wants the washing ofdirtylinenin public, but what we do want is to be reassured of the prospects of the future.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Of course there are two schools of thought aboutdirtylinen.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is said that we are washingdirtylinenin public or that we are pursuing a man who is on the retired list.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Why should he be forced by statutory declaration to signify his intentions and then afterwards to have hisdirtylinenwashed in public?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Why shoulddirtylinenbe washed in public?
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Every time there is any allegation of an infringement, we have to wash ourdirtylinenin public.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Ifdirtylinenis not washed it will produce lice and disease.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
First, clearly a great deal ofdirtylinenhas been publicly washed in the last few weeks.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofdirty
Go to the definition oflinen
See other collocations withlinen