Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public

 

The idiom “don’t air your dirty laundry in public” is cautionary advice not to discuss personal issues, or private disputes, or any potentially damaging information in a public. This is advice for a person who is discussing their personal information in public or a person who is discussing someone else’s personal information in public. Not all information is appropriate for public consumption and damaging a person who is, generally speaking, an ally while that person is temporarily an opponent can damage you, that person, and any organization of which you are both members.

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Example:

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There was a dispute within the party about whether or not the party should endorse in nonpartisan elections.  While it was appropriate to argue about this issue in private it was not appropriate to argue about it in public as it would give the party a bad reputation as well as making it appear disorganized and divided.  Who would want to join an organization that was full of people arguing?  That is why we don't air our dirty laundry in public.