best kept secrets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best kept secrets" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to something valuable or advantageous that is not widely known. An example: "This little café is one of the city's best kept secrets." Alternative expressions include "hidden gems" and "well-guarded secrets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"It's one of the best kept secrets around.

The Guardian

"This is one of L.A.'s best kept secrets," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

It's one of New York's best kept secrets.

BBC

Welcome to the di Rosa: Art & Nature, amazingly enough one of Napa county's best kept secrets.

Forbes

It is one of the best kept secrets in the VC industry.

TechCrunch

'This has been one of Diageo's best kept secrets," he said.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's humbling to be in charge of one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood.

HuffPost

The Catlins region of New Zealand is one of New Zealand's best kept secrets.

HuffPost

"I think unfortunately it's one of our best-kept secrets".

The New York Times

This fact is one of New York's best-kept secrets.

The New York Times

It has been one of fishing's best-kept secrets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "best kept secrets", consider the context and audience. Is it a positive attribute, or are you implying that something should be more widely known? Choose your words accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "best kept secrets" in overly predictable situations, such as travel guides or product reviews. Instead, seek more specific and original language to describe unique or undiscovered aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best kept secrets" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly describes something valuable or advantageous that is not widely known.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "best kept secrets" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes something valuable or advantageous that is not widely known. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, the phrase aims to highlight exclusivity and invite discovery. To avoid clichés, consider using more specific and original language to describe unique aspects. Alternative expressions include "hidden gems" and "undiscovered treasures".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

best-kept secrets

Slightly different word order but essentially the same meaning and emphasis.

hidden gems

Emphasizes the precious and valuable nature of the secrets, using a metaphor.

undiscovered treasures

Focuses on the value and potential of the secret, highlighting its positive qualities.

closely guarded secrets

Highlights the element of protection and intentional concealment.

well-guarded secrets

Similar to "closely guarded secrets", stressing the deliberate act of keeping something secret.

little-known facts

Focuses on the factual aspect of the secrets, implying that they are not widely known.

insider knowledge

Highlights the exclusive nature of the information, accessible only to a select few.

unpublicized information

Emphasizes the lack of promotion or widespread dissemination of the secrets.

well-concealed information

Stresses the hidden or disguised nature of the information.

dark secrets

Alternative conveys the message of being unknown and has a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "best kept secrets" in a sentence?

You can use "best kept secrets" to describe something valuable or interesting that is not widely known. For example: "This local restaurant is one of the city's "best kept secrets"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "best kept secrets"?

You can use alternatives such as "hidden gems", "undiscovered treasures", or "little-known facts" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "best-kept secrets" instead of "best kept secrets"?

Both "best kept secrets" and "best-kept secrets" are grammatically acceptable, but the hyphenated version is more common when used as a compound adjective before a noun.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "best kept secrets"?

The phrase "best kept secrets" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including travel, food, business, and personal relationships, to describe something valuable that is not widely known or appreciated.