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Social Interaction - Confidentiality & Secrecy

Explore English proverbs that depict confidentiality and secrecy, including "murder will out" and "dead men tell no tales".

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Social Interaction
a (shut|closed) mouth catches no flies

used to encourage people to think carefully before speaking and to consider the potential consequences of their words, recognizing that sometimes it is better to say nothing at all

Ex: When it comes to gossip, I've learned that a shut mouth catches no flies.By staying out of drama and avoiding negative talk, I've been able to maintain positive relationships with those around me.
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dead men tell no tales

used to say that once a person has died, they cannot reveal any secrets or information, particularly used to caution someone against revealing sensitive or potentially dangerous information

Ex: If you're thinking of speaking out against the company, remember that dead men tell no tales.It's not worth putting yourself in danger.
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fields have eyes, (and|) woods have ears

used to suggest that even in seemingly private locations, there may be someone present who could overhear or observe one's actions, so one should always be mindful of their behavior

Ex: I don't like to gossip in public places.After all, fields have eyes, and woods have ears.
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murder will out
murder will out
[sentence]

used to emphasize that secrets have a way of being revealed eventually, and so it is important to act with integrity and honesty in all aspects of life

Ex: The politician thought they could keep their unethical actions hidden, but they were wrong.Murder will out, and the truth eventually came to light.
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secrets are secrets for a reason

used to encourage people to be cautious about sharing information that has been shared with them in confidence, recognizing that doing so can damage relationships and weaken trust

Ex: I know it's frustrating not to know what's going on, but I promise there's a good reason why I can't share this information with you.Sometimes secrets are secrets for a reason, and in this case, it's to protect someone's safety and well-being.
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three (may|might) keep a secret if two are dead

used to imply that it is important to be careful about who one shares confidential information with, as each additional person who is told the secret increases the risk of it being disclosed

Ex: The spy knew that they couldn't trust anyone, since three may keep a secret if two are dead.
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what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas

used to imply that any scandalous activities that occur during group travel should not be discussed with others outside of the group

Ex: The couple eloped in Vegas and decided to keep it a secret.After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
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