open the kimono
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Unknown. Possibly a calque of Japanese 胸襟を開く (literally “share one’s feelings”) or 裃を脱ぐ (literally “to be frank”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
open the kimono (third-person singular simple present opens the kimono, present participle opening the kimono, simple past and past participle opened the kimono)
- (idiomatic, often business) To reveal confidential information, especially details of one's business operations.
- 1999, Time, volume 154, numbers 10-17, page 72:
- For the first 10 minutes, Lui refuses to "open the kimono" and reveal details about the company.
- 2014, Susie Wyshak, Good Food, Great Business:
- 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?