aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern

to reveal private/intimate details; to let others in on inside stories

Origin

The phrase comes from a time when women, sewing together, also exchanged intimate matters; the sewing box also served as a hiding place for private things. The image was popularised among others by Fontane's 'Effi Briest', where love letters are found in a sewing box.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

Examples

  • Beim plauderte die aus dem Nähkästchen und erzählte Dreh.

    Over coffee the actress spilled some inside details and talked about the shoot.