idiom
skeleton in the closet
SKEL-uh-tun in thuh KLOZ-et
ˈskɛlɪtən ɪn ðə ˈkloʊzɪtListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
skeletoninthecloset
Dictionary meaning
A shameful secret from the past that a family or individual keeps hidden.
Examples
- Every family has a skeleton in the closet that nobody likes to discuss at reunions.
British: skeleton in the cupboard; American: skeleton in the closet.
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