From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishin publicin publicPUBLIC/NOT PRIVATEif you do something in public, you do it where anyone can see OPP in private Her husband was always nice to her in public. → wash/air your dirty linen/laundry (in public) at dirty1(7) → public
Examples from the Corpus
in public• The Prince has not appeared in public since the announcement of his divorce.• Her husband was always nice to her in public, but treated her badly at home.• Most people feel nervous about speaking in public.• You're not going to wear that in public, are you? 