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closet

Definition

  • noun: a usually small room that is used for storing things (such as clothing, towels, or dishes)
  • noun: an apartment or small room for privacy
  • verb: to put (yourself) in a room in order to be alone
  • verb: to shut up in or as if in a closet
  • usually used in the phrases 'in the closet' or 'out of the closet'
  • synonyms: wc, academic, adytum

Examples

  • He asked if she had any 'skeletons in her closet' that might affect her political campaign.

  • She's a 'closet' racist. [=she does not want people to know that she is a racist]

  • The manager 'was closeted' with one of her employees for several hours.

Movie quotes

  • (..) ...buttons. No wonder we lost the war. Was that one of 'em? Melanie? What are you doin' in a closet? Hi. Barry Lowenstein, "New York Post." Miss Carmichael is just showing me around the plantation. Uh, Mr. Lowenstein is writing (..)
    2002 Sweet Home Alabama
  • (..) if you don't mind. You do realize the press is going to be all over this. Happy couples don't sell. So if there are any skeletons in her closet, Andrew, we need to know about them. [Indistinct talking on police radio] You make clothes, right? I design them. (..)
    2002 Sweet Home Alabama