in public
339
1.0
- idiom
:
en público
- For the sake of my reputation, we said nothing in public about the reasons for his dismissal.
- speak in public
- appear in public
- say in public
You don't see, you know, smooching in public and things like that.
- You don't see, you know, smooching in public and things like that.
- So the things they said in public, PJ Matlock said on Twitter.
- So he finds that in public, in the crowd.
- And so being a menacing, scary person in public would get them that as well.
- But it's a case of sometimes in public life, you have to be brave.
- These were like people that had jobs and careers, were in public, you know.
- I have this giant fear of singing in public and I have no idea why.
Examples
-
The East German leader has not been seen in public since 14 August.
Academic text (1990) -
We see women in public spaces in these pictures.
-
We never went out in public together.
-
Never correct me in public again.
-
You know, it's not so smart, us being seen together in public like this.
-
I'm nervous to kiss or hold his hand in public because of people staring.
-
She has not been seen in public now for many, many years.
-
We have seen standards in public life trashed.
-
I'm nervous to hold his hand in public because of people staring.
-
She has not been seen in public now for many, many years.
Synonyms
575
1.2
In a way that everyone can see or know
303
1.6
To say or do things without hiding feelings
104
2.5
In public and not hidden so other people can see or hear
38
2.7
Easily seen because it is not hidden
5
3.7
Clearly visible to everyone
1
3.5
Easy for everyone to see
Openly where many people can see or hear
In a way most people can understand
Antonyms
How Public
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'in a manner accessible to or observable by the general public' is directly derivable from combining 'in' (indicating location/position) with 'public' (open or nonprivate), so the overall sense is compositional. This construction is cross-linguistically common and follows a straightforward English preposition + adjective pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand it.
Etymology
In public paints a clear picture: imagine standing on a busy street or a stage where everyone can see you, not behind a closed door. That's why doing something in public, not 'in private', means doing it 'openly' where others can observe you.