skeletons in the closet

Definitions

• hidden secrets
  Refers to undisclosed or shameful secrets or embarrassing facts that a person or organization wants to keep hidden from others

• unresolved issues
  Describes unresolved or lingering problems or issues that are kept hidden from public view

Examples of skeletons in the closet

• The politician's opponent threatened to expose the skeletons in his closet if he didn't withdraw from the race.

  This idiom is often used to refer to a person's secrets or past mistakes that they try to keep hidden. The politician's opponent is implying that there are things in the politician's past that could negatively impact his political career, and he is using these secrets as a form of blackmail to try to get the politician to drop out of the race.

• She closed the door behind her and whispered, "Don't ask questions. Just promise me that you'll never bring up the skeletons in my family's closet."

  In this example, the speaker is asking someone to keep a secret about her family's past. She is using the idiom "skeletons in the closet" to describe the potentially embarrassing or negative things that she doesn't want people to know about her family history. By asking the other person not to bring it up, she is trying to prevent those secrets from being revealed and causing any problems.

• The journalist uncovered several skeletons in the closet of the wealthy businessman during his investigation.

  This idiom is being used to describe the journalist's discovery of the businessman's secrets or past mistakes. The "skeletons" in this example may be negative things that the businessman has tried to keep hidden, such as criminal activity or financial fraud. By bringing these secrets to light, the journalist is revealing the truth and potentially causing trouble for the businessman.

• He tried to ignore the rumors and whispers about the skeletons in his closet, but they kept following him around like a dark cloud.

  This example is using the idiom "skeletons in the closet" to describe the negative things that people are saying about the speaker. The "whispers" could be rumors, gossip, or accusations about something in his past. The speaker is trying to brush these things aside and ignore the negative attention, but he can't seem to escape the "dark cloud" of these secrets. This idiom is being used to describe the weight and complexity of these secrets, and how they can have a lasting impact on a person's reputation or career.

• The mayor's personal life has come under scrutiny due to the skeletons in his closet that have recently come to light.

  This idiom, "skeletons in the closet," refers to secrets or scandalous information that a person has been keeping hidden. In this example, the mayor's personal life is being questioned due to the fact that some secrets about his past have been revealed, causing controversy and potentially damaging his reputation.

• Lisa was hesitant to share her recent achievements with her colleagues, fearing that they would dig into her past and uncover skeletons in her closet.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe Lisa's anxiety about exposing her past failures or mistakes to her colleagues. She is concerned that by sharing her successes, her coworkers may uncover evidence of past missteps, causing embarrassment or damage to her reputation.

• The author's novel was lauded by critics despite the skeletons in her closet that emerged during the publication process.

  This example shows a positive spin on the idiom, highlighting the idea that having secrets or scandals in one's past does not necessarily mean that they are a bad person or that their future successes should be discounted. In this instance, the author's novel received high praise despite some revelations about her past being made public, which suggests that the readers were able to separate the artist from their past misdeeds.

• The accused’s lawyer suggested that the witness was trying to score some points by dredging up skeletons from his client’s past.

  This example uses the idiom figuratively to describe an attempt to discredit a person by bringing up some unsavory information about their past. In this case, the lawyer is accusing the witness of trying to damage the accused's case by referencing some questionable aspects of their past behavior. By using the phrase "skeletons from his client’s past," the lawyer is implying that the witness is trying to expose some secrets that the accused would rather stay hidden.

Conclusion

The idiom "skeletons in the closet" is used to describe hidden secrets or unresolved issues that someone is keeping hidden. It can refer to anything from embarrassing personal secrets to undisclosed problems within an organization. The idiom is often used to imply that the person or organization is not as perfect as they appear on the surface.

People may use this idiom when discussing someone's past or when speculating about what might be hidden beneath the surface. It can also be used to caution against assuming that someone or something is completely without flaws or issues.

Origin of "skeletons in the closet"

The origin of the idiom "skeletons in the closet" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. The phrase likely comes from the idea of literal skeletons being hidden in a closet, representing shameful or embarrassing secrets that someone wants to keep hidden.

The use of the word "skeletons" suggests that these secrets or issues are significant and potentially damaging if revealed. The closet represents a place where these secrets are kept out of sight. Over time, the idiom has become a common way to describe hidden or undisclosed information that someone wants to keep private. Examples of its use can be found in literature, film, and everyday conversation.