a complete secret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete secret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing that something is entirely confidential or not known to anyone. Example: "The details of the project were kept a complete secret until the official announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was a complete secret.

The Guardian - Books

Gui had kept the contents of the book a complete secret.

The Guardian

"My sisters had never been told about me – I was kept a complete secret; they didn't know anything about me.

The Guardian - Books

Bowie, 66, who is based in New York, only makes sporadic public appearances and this new release - which comes before the release of a new album in March - had been kept a complete secret from fans and music journalists.

BBC

Do you imagine that your affair is a complete secret to your husband and to your children?

Huffington Post

It would be worse because there wouldn't be any testimony as to what it used to be like, no one would know, it would be a complete secret.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Within a few months of forming they have gone from being a complete mystery and a tantalising secret to delicious hot new thing, provisionally embraced by the ordinary-world mainstream media.

The Guardian - Music

The London-based startup says the new capital will be used to expand its product range — which now includes a first partnership with Disney with a Marvel Avengers themed kit inviting children to help superheroes complete secret missions — and to continue its mission to "create a brighter future for kids by encouraging them to create with, rather than be fearful of or passive to, technology".

TechCrunch

Agatha Christie's Complete Secret Notebooks, edited by John Curran, is published by Harper Collins.

The Guardian - Books

By concatenating those colour indices, the complete secret message can be formed if the stego-image is not manipulated.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

After visiting all pixels, by concatenating those extracted bits, the complete secret data stream can be revealed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complete secret" to emphasize that something is entirely unknown to others, adding a layer of intrigue and importance to the information being withheld.

Common error

Avoid using "a complete secret" in everyday conversation where a simpler term like "secret" would suffice. Overusing it can make your language sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete secret" functions as a noun phrase that describes something being entirely confidential or unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it detailing hidden information, undisclosed facts, or private matters.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete secret" is a noun phrase used to emphasize that something is entirely confidential and unknown to others. While Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, its use is relatively uncommon. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wiki and scientific publications. When writing, consider using it to add intrigue and highlight the importance of withheld information, but avoid overuse in casual settings. Alternatives like "a total secret" or "a well-kept secret" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a total secret

Replaces "complete" with "total", emphasizing the absolute nature of the secret.

an utter secret

Substitutes "complete" with "utter" to highlight the thoroughness of the secrecy.

a well-kept secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, implying effort and success in keeping the secret.

a closely guarded secret

Highlights the protection and vigilance surrounding the secret.

a confidential matter

Shifts the focus to the confidential nature of the information itself.

a private affair

Emphasizes the personal and exclusive nature of the secret.

something no one knows

Directly states the lack of awareness surrounding the secret.

a matter of strict confidence

Formalizes the expression, emphasizing the importance of discretion.

a clandestine matter

Highlights the covert and hidden nature of the secret.

a secret between us

Emphasizes exclusivity of knowing, creating an exclusive pact around it.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a complete secret"?

You can use alternatives like "a total secret", "a well-kept secret", or "a closely guarded secret" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "a complete secret" in a sentence?

You might say, "The details of the new product launch were kept "a complete secret" until the day of the announcement" or "Her past was "a complete secret", known to no one."

Is "a complete secret" redundant?

While "secret" alone conveys a sense of confidentiality, adding "complete" emphasizes the thoroughness of the secrecy, suggesting that absolutely no one is aware of the information.

What's the difference between "a complete secret" and "a partial secret"?

"A complete secret" implies that no one knows about something, whereas "a partial secret" suggests that some people might have some knowledge, but not the whole story.