skeleton in the closet

Cultural  

1. A potentially embarrassing secret: “Before nominating the new judge, the committee asked him if he had any skeletons in the closet.”

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skeleton in the closet Idioms  

1. A shameful secret, as in Both her parents were alcoholics; that was the skeleton in her closet. This metaphoric term alludes to a murder victim long concealed in a closet, possibly based on some true incident that is now forgotten. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

“Ukraine must clearly emerge from this very weak historical period, not only as a sovereign and independent country, but without any skeletons in the closet or weights on its feet,” Chaly said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But at these prices, investors should watch out for any new skeletons in the closet.

From Barron's

Financial skeletons in the closet are not inherently disqualifying for a candidate for public office, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School and the former head of the city of L.A.’s ethics commission.

From Los Angeles Times

As much as he tried to find that one skeleton in the closet to explain it all, he couldn’t.

From Los Angeles Times

“You shouldn’t have any skeletons in the closet.”

From New York Times