a shield of secrecy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shield of secrecy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a protective barrier that conceals information or keeps it hidden from others. Example: "The organization operated behind a shield of secrecy, making it difficult for outsiders to uncover their true intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

MI5, said Mr Sweeney had to be protected by a "shield of secrecy".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The New York Times argues that President Trump lowered the shield of secrecy surrounding documents related to the wiretapping of Carter Page, a onetime Trump campaign adviser.

The New York Times

This "shield of secrecy" should offer protection from hostile interests, but not from effective oversight.

The Guardian

Over the years, courts and government investigators have occasionally managed to puncture Mossack Fonseca's shield of secrecy.

The New York Times

Democratic legislators used the power of the gavel and the shield of secrecy to stuff the bill with truffles for their states and, worse, gifts for the interest-groups that pay their bills.

The Economist

The newspaper is arguing that the president himself has already "lowered the shield of secrecy" by approving release of the controversial Republican memo.

HuffPost

A shield of God against evil.

The New Yorker

They created a shield of neighborhoods".

The New Yorker

A shield of prayer, they called it.

The New Yorker

Their biggest shield is an oath of secrecy that is imposed on followers.

The Economist

Chisholm petitioned the Wisconsin Supreme Court for an investigation of the Walker campaign under the state's unusual John Doe law, which allows investigators to work under a cloak of secrecy to shield people from arrest on groundless suspicion, encourage witnesses to speak without fear of reprisal, and keep those suspected of committing crimes from undermining the investigation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a shield of secrecy" when you want to emphasize the protective and concealing nature of keeping information hidden, particularly when the secrecy is intentional and robust.

Common error

Avoid using "a shield of secrecy" when simply describing privacy or confidentiality. The phrase implies a deliberate effort to hide information, often with strategic or protective intent, rather than a general expectation of privacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shield of secrecy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement, object, or appositive. It describes something that provides protection by concealing information. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage in describing how entities operate covertly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shield of secrecy" is a noun phrase used to describe the act of concealing information, often implying a deliberate effort to protect something from scrutiny. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions to highlight covert operations or hidden intentions. While typically carrying a neutral to slightly negative connotation, the phrase's register is generally neutral. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, as well as wiki environments. Therefore, it is important to use this phrase judiciously to ensure that it accurately conveys the intended meaning, particularly regarding the reasons behind the secrecy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a veil of confidentiality

Replaces "secrecy" with "confidentiality", emphasizing the protection of private information.

a cloak of confidentiality

Uses "confidentiality" instead of "secrecy", stressing the private nature of the protected information.

a blanket of silence

Emphasizes the suppression of information rather than its protection.

a wall of silence

Implies a more impenetrable and deliberate concealment of information.

a screen of discretion

Highlights the careful and cautious handling of sensitive information.

a cover of silence

Focuses on the act of suppressing information or discussion.

a facade of privacy

Suggests a deceptive appearance of privacy, potentially hiding underlying truths.

a culture of non-disclosure

Shifts the focus to an organizational environment that discourages the sharing of information.

a system of information control

Highlights the systematic management and restriction of access to information.

a policy of limited transparency

Emphasizes a deliberate restriction on openness and accessibility of information.

FAQs

How can I use "a shield of secrecy" in a sentence?

You can use "a shield of secrecy" to describe situations where information is deliberately concealed or protected. For example, "The organization operated behind "a shield of secrecy", making it difficult to investigate their activities."

What are some alternatives to "a shield of secrecy"?

Alternatives include "a veil of secrecy", "a cloak of secrecy", or "a cover of silence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a shield of secrecy" and "a veil of secrecy"?

"A shield of secrecy" implies a strong, robust protection of information, while ""a veil of secrecy"" suggests a more delicate or subtle concealment.

Is "a shield of secrecy" a positive or negative term?

"A shield of secrecy" is generally used in a negative or critical context, implying that the secrecy is used to hide potentially unethical or illegal activities. However, it can also be used neutrally to simply describe a situation where information is kept confidential for strategic reasons.