wash one's dirty laundry in public
To publicly discuss or expose one's personal problems or embarrassing issues
English · United States 1273
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
wash one's dirty linen in public
To publicly discuss or expose one's personal or private problems
wash one's elbows
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wash oneself of
to distance oneself from something undesirable
wash out
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
washed out
Lacking strength or vitality
washer and dryer
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
waste away
To gradually decline or deteriorate
waste breath
to speak unnecessarily or to no effect
waste not, want not
Being frugal helps avoid poverty or need
waste of breath
Something said that has no effect or is ignored
waste of space
A person or thing considered useless or unnecessary
watch and ward
to guard or protect something carefully
watch it
be careful what you say or do
watch one's language
Speak carefully to avoid offending others
watch one's mouth
Speak carefully to avoid offending others
watch one's step
be careful to avoid danger or trouble
watch out
be careful or beware of something
watch over
To protect or take care of someone or something
watch the world burn
To take pleasure in others' misfortune or chaos
watch the world go by
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
watch this space
Wait and see what happens next
watching and waiting
Observing and being patient for something to happen
water down
to make something less strong or effective
water over the dam
a past event that cannot be changed
water to one's mill
Something that helps or supports one's interests or goals.
water under the bridge
past issues that are no longer relevant
waterfowl alignment
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
watering hole
A place where people regularly gather to socialize
watery grave
A death by drowning, especially at sea
Watson and Crick
refers to the discoverers of DNA structure
wave aside
dismiss or ignore something as unimportant
wave away
dismiss or ignore something
wave goodbye
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wave of the hand
A dismissive or casual gesture
wave the white flag
To surrender or admit defeat
wax and wane
to increase and decrease in intensity or amount
wax the dolphin
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
way back when
at a time far in the past
way of thinking
A person's habitual way of thinking or opinions
way out of a paper bag
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ways and means
Methods or resources to achieve a goal
we are where we are
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
we been knew
something was already obvious or known
we haven't got all day
let's hurry up, we don't have much time
weak sister
A person or thing that is ineffective or incompetent
weak tea
An insipid or unconvincing idea or excuse
weaker vessel
A person, especially a woman, considered physically or emotionally fragile
weal and woe
Prosperity and adversity
weaponized incompetence
Intentional ineptness used to manipulate or disrupt
wear and tear
Damage or deterioration from normal use
wear many hats
Have multiple roles or responsibilities
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Openly show one's feelings or emotions
wear out one's welcome
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wear rose-colored glasses
To have an overly optimistic view of something
wear sackcloth and ashes
Show remorse or repentance
wear the trousers
be in control or have authority in a relationship
wear thin
to become less effective or convincing
wear too many hats
To have too many responsibilities or roles at once
wear two hats
To have two roles or responsibilities