Idioms are fun phrases that don’t mean what they sound like! They help us say things in a creative way. In this post, we’ll explore some idioms about secrets, explain what they really mean, and show you how to use them in sentences.
Secret Idioms
Here are 20 secret idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
Keep under wraps
Meaning: Keep secret
Example: They’re keeping the project under wraps for now.
Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal a secret
Example: He accidentally spilled the beans about the party.
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag.
Under lock and key
Meaning: Kept securely
Example: The documents are kept under lock and key.
Skeleton in the closet
Meaning: A hidden and shocking secret
Example: Everyone has a skeleton in the closet.
Behind closed doors
Meaning: Done in secret
Example: The deal was made behind closed doors.
Cloak and dagger
Meaning: Involving secrecy and intrigue
Example: It was all very cloak and dagger.
Hush-hush
Meaning: Secretive, confidential
Example: The plans for the event are hush-hush.
Mum’s the word
Meaning: Keep this a secret
Example: About the surprise, mum’s the word.
Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take credit for another’s idea
Example: He stole my thunder at the meeting.
Keep shtum
Meaning: Remain silent, keep a secret
Example: About the mistake, just keep shtum.
Zip your lip
Meaning: Stop talking, keep a secret
Example: You better zip your lip about this!
Play your cards close to your chest
Meaning: Keep intentions hidden
Example: He always plays his cards close to his chest.
Hold your tongue
Meaning: Keep quiet about something
Example: You should hold your tongue in such situations.
Keep the lid on
Meaning: Keep something secret
Example: They managed to keep the lid on the news.
Under the table
Meaning: Done secretly, especially involving bribery
Example: The deal was done under the table.
Keep it under your hat
Meaning: Keep something secret
Example: Keep it under your hat, but I’m moving soon.
Don’t let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Don’t reveal the secret
Example: Whatever you do, don’t let the cat out of the bag.
Whisper down the lane
Meaning: A process by which a message is distorted by being passed around in secrecy
Example: The story was just a whisper down the lane.
On the QT
Meaning: Done secretly
Example: They met on the QT to avoid attention.
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