bound by secrecy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound by secrecy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is obligated to keep information confidential or private. Example: "The details of the agreement were bound by secrecy, preventing any party from disclosing them to outsiders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Federal Government, as trustee of Indian lands, was held responsible, and the family was compensated, although Mr. Gamache said he was bound by secrecy rules from disclosing the amount.

The New York Times

Five people discussed the inquiry into Mr. Liu's fund-raising with The Times; three of them spoke on condition of anonymity because the proceedings of a grand jury are bound by secrecy.

The New York Times

During the trial, he said he refused to give police his flat number because he was "bound by secrecy".

BBC

"They are very concerned about the safety of farmers and landowners who are going to permit badger culling on their land, so they are actually bound by secrecy and don't want to reveal for very sensible reasons those locations.

BBC

In addition, members serving on the Committee are bound by secrecy regarding all information they become aware of during the performance of their duties [ 42].

Health Research Policy and Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But someone who receives a subpoena to testify or produce documents is not bound by those secrecy rules.

The Washington Post

Kieran Tapsell, an Australian civil lawyer with expertise on canon law, said that meant many church leaders were still bound by pontifical secrecy.

The Guardian

Her book was published with big chunks blacked out after a protracted legal battle with the C.I.A., and she is bound by its secrecy agreement.

The New York Times

In the observations where patients were present, the patients were informed of the purpose of the study and that the researchers were bound by professional secrecy in their role as health care personnel.

BMC Medical Education

Of course, I would point out that the medical staff are also bound by professional secrecy.

EU Parlament

Several lawyers said HSBC might be more willing to cooperate with the government, in part because the bank is not bound by strict Swiss secrecy laws, and to protect themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bound by secrecy", ensure the context clearly indicates who is obligated to maintain the secrecy and what information is protected. This clarifies the scope and extent of the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "bound by secrecy" without specifying the legal or ethical basis for the obligation. Simply stating secrecy without context can lead to misunderstandings or appear suspicious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound by secrecy" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of obligation to maintain confidentiality. As noted by Ludwig, it signifies that an individual or entity is required to keep specific information private.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bound by secrecy" is a grammatically sound and readily understood expression denoting an obligation to maintain confidentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s used to describe situations where revealing information is restricted. While relatively infrequent, its usage spans various contexts, especially news and media, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is bound and what information is protected. Alternatives such as "obligated to secrecy" or "sworn to secrecy" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obligated to secrecy

Replaces "bound" with "obligated", focusing on the duty to maintain secrecy.

required to maintain confidentiality

Specifies the action of "maintaining confidentiality" as the requirement.

subject to a confidentiality agreement

Indicates that a formal agreement is in place to enforce secrecy.

sworn to secrecy

Implies a formal oath or promise to keep information secret.

committed to confidentiality

Highlights a strong dedication to keeping information private.

constrained by confidentiality

Emphasizes the constraint imposed by the need for confidentiality.

covered by a nondisclosure agreement

Specifies that a nondisclosure agreement protects the information.

under a vow of silence

Emphasizes a formal or solemn commitment to silence.

prohibited from disclosing

Highlights the prohibition aspect of revealing information.

restricted from revealing

Focuses on the restriction imposed on revealing details.

FAQs

What does "bound by secrecy" mean?

The phrase "bound by secrecy" means someone is obligated to keep certain information confidential, either through a formal agreement, legal requirement, or ethical consideration.

What can I say instead of "bound by secrecy"?

You can use alternatives like "obligated to secrecy", "required to maintain confidentiality", or "sworn to secrecy", depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "bound by secrecy"?

The phrase "bound by secrecy" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in professional or legal settings.

Is it correct to say "bound by confidentiality" instead of "bound by secrecy"?

Yes, saying "bound by confidentiality" is correct and often interchangeable with "bound by secrecy". Both phrases convey the idea of being obligated to keep information private.