Dictionary

open the kimono en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Unknown. Possibly a calque of Japanese 胸襟を開く (“to share one's feelings”, literally “to open one's collar”) or Japanese 裃を脱ぐ (“to be frank”, literally “to take off one's haori and hakama (two garments worn over a kimono)”).

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, often) To reveal confidential information, especially details of one's business operations.
   • For the first 10 minutes, Lui refuses to "open the kimono" and reveal details about the company. 1999, Time, volume 154, numbers 10-17, page 72:
   • Before agreeing to “open the kimono” and show them everything, first ask exactly what they will want to see—all sales records, from all customers? 2014, Susie Wyshak, Good Food, Great Business:

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