English idioms relate to Truth, Secrecy, & Deception

English idioms relate to Truth, Secrecy, & Deception - Keeping Secrets

school icon21 Words
11 min
hidden agenda
noun
a secret reason behind a plan or action
1
between you and me
sentence
said to ask someone to keep a conversation secret
2
to breathe / say a word about sth
phrase
to tell other people what is supposed to stay secret
3
conspiracy of silence
phrase
used to refer to an agreement made in order keep someone from sharing or revealing information that should be otherwise publically known
4
to keep a lid on sth
phrase
to not let something become revealed to others
5
to keep / play / hold one's cards close to one's chest / vest
phrase
to refrain from revealing one's true intentions or plans
6
to keep sth under one's hat
phrase
to avoid sharing a secret with others
7
to keep sth quiet
phrase
to avoid telling about something to others
8
to keep / stay schtum
phrase
to decide to remain silent about something, particularly out of fear of making a situation worse
9
mum is the word
sentence
said as a promise or request to not tell something to anyone else
10
one's lips are sealed
sentence
used when one says that one will not reveal secret information
11
skeleton in the closet
phrase
something about a person's past that they do not want to reveal or mention because it is embarrassing or unpleasant
12
these four walls
phrase
used to refer to a room, in which a group of people knows or witnesses something that others do not
13
to tell tales out of / outside school
phrase
to share information that is secret or private
14
to keep one's own counsel
phrase
to keep one's opinions, plans, or intentions secret
15
to keep sth dark
phrase
to not let other people know about something
16
(as) close / dumb as an oyster
phrase
a person who can be trusted with one's secrets
17
to cover one's tracks
phrase
to conceal or destroy evidence of one's activities or whereabouts to avoid detection or punishment
18
to paper over the cracks
phrase
to try to conceal flaws or problems temporarily, without addressing or solving them properly
19
to keep sth under wraps
phrase
to keep something secret or confidential and not to reveal it to others
20
trade secret
noun
a piece of information that one refuses to share with anyone
21
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