Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a secret, often unpleasant or potentially embarrassing, that someone keeps hidden from others. It implies that there is something in a person’s past that they are ashamed of or wish to keep concealed due to its potential to cause scandal or distress if revealed.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “Despite his charming public persona, he had a skeleton in the closet that he feared would ruin his reputation if it ever came out.”
- “Every family has a skeleton in the closet; it’s just that some secrets are better kept hidden.”
- “She seemed perfect, but I couldn’t help wondering if she had a skeleton in the closet.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “have a skeleton in the closet” dates back to the 19th century. The phrase likely draws from the macabre imagery of a hidden skeleton, symbolizing death and decay, concealed in a closet or cupboard. This hidden skeleton metaphorically represents a dark or shameful secret that someone keeps out of public view. The idiom emphasizes the idea of secrecy and the potential for scandal or embarrassment if the hidden truth is discovered. Over time, it has become a common expression used to describe hidden personal or family secrets that one wishes to keep private.
