skeleton in the closet

English

skeleton in the closet (plural skeletons in the closet)

(US, idiomatic) A shameful secret.
- 1913, Eleanor H. Porter, chapter 9, in Pollyanna‎, L.C. Page, OCLC 33897078:
  "Humph!" she vouchsafed. Then, showing her old-time interest, she went on: "But, say, it is queer, his speakin' to you, honestly, Miss Pollyanna. He don't speak ter no one; and he lives all alone in a great big lovely house all full of jest grand things, they say. Some says he's crazy, and some jest cross; and some says he's got a skeleton in his closet."

shameful secret — see skeleton in the cupboard