What does "in public" mean?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
"In public" is an idiom used to mean in a place where other people can see you. Here the meaning is that "red lipstick" had to be worn by prostitutes in any place where others could see them. Ex: I don't like kissing in public. Ex: Celebrities are always photographed when they are seen in public. Ex: Don't pick your nose in public!