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Synonyms

come out of the closet

Cultural  

  1. To publicly announce a belief or preference that one has kept hidden, especially one's sexual preference: “At the last moment, the representative came out of the closet and announced her support for the controversial amendment.” (See skeleton in the closet.)

come out of the closet Idioms  

  1. see come out, def. 6.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Let me tell you something: just come out of the closet boys. Come on, it's fun. You can be gay and conservative," he says in the video.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2024

After that, I knew I was gay, and it was time to come out of the closet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2023

"Your family is out there. You are loved and valued. So when you come out of the closet, come out swinging."

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2022

“So when you come out of the closet, come out swinging.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2022

“Are you both dressed? Seven, don’t you dare come out of the closet yet,” Thorn yelled from the hall.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.