In a literal sense, meeting someone in the closet means physically encountering them inside a small storage space where clothes are kept.
However, in common conversational English, "meeting someone in the closet" or being "in the closet" has a widely understood
idiomatic meaning, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) issues.
Idiomatic Meaning (Common Usage):
To be
"in the closet" means to
keep one's sexual orientation or gender identity a secret from others. It implies hiding who you are due to fear of judgment, discrimination, rejection, or simply personal choice.
So, to "meet someone in the closet" usually implies:
- You and/or the other person are LGBTQ+ and not openly so (not "out" yet).
- The meeting or interaction happens within the context of both parties being closeted. This could imply a secret romantic or sexual encounter, or simply discovering a shared identity (being queer) while both are still private about it.
- It suggests discretion, secrecy, or a shared understanding of not being public about their identity.
The opposite of being "in the closet" is to be
"out" (short for "out of the closet"), meaning openly acknowledging and living with one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Therefore, when this phrase is used, it almost invariably refers to someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or another queer identity that they are keeping hidden.