skeleton in the cupboard vs skeleton

skeleton in the cupboard and skeleton both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
skeleton in the cupboard	Yes	No	No	No
skeleton	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, skeleton in the cupboard and skeleton are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of skeleton in the cupboard include skeleton in the closet.

skeleton in the cupboard (noun)	skeleton (noun)
a scandal that is kept secret	the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape
	the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
	a scandal that is kept secret
	something reduced to its minimal form