conceal interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conceal interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of hiding or not disclosing one's interest in a particular matter or situation. Example: "In negotiations, it is often strategic to conceal interest in order to maintain leverage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had a concealed interest in the enterprise and said he thought the sheik was willing to invest $100 million.

The New York Times

Only universal coöperation under conditions of intellectual freedom and the lofty moral ideals of socialism and labor, accompanied by the elimination of dogmatism and pressures of the concealed interests of ruling classes, will preserve civilization.

The New Yorker

As their flight neared its end, Popovich could barely conceal his interest.

The New Yorker

The Knicks have made little effort to conceal their interest in upgrading at center and point guard, but they have come up empty on the trade front.

The New York Times - Sports

The complaint said there was evidence that TechnoDyne tried to "conceal its interest" in one of the Indian companies, "and thereby its connections to the millions of dollars that were being paid to Denault".

The New York Times

Tripp has tried hard over the past year to conceal her interest in writing a book.... Describes several assertions she or her attorney Anthony Zaccagnini made to that effect......Under repeated questioning from skeptical grand jurors, Tripp insisted that a book was "not what we were looking to do....When I threw away the book idea in August of '96, I was completely finished with it".

The New Yorker

The committee accepted he had not intended to conceal his interest and had apologised.

BBC

Who would want to conceal their interest in cooking?

Huffington Post

There are many other people who conceal their interest in Pokémon in order to look "normal" in front of others.

WikiHow

Notions of the "common good" generally conceal special interests (Rhees 1989, p. 53).

SEP

Humans, instead, seem all too prone to analyze situations selectively, to rationalize and often conceal self-interest, and to underestimate the outcome.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In negotiations or sensitive situations, "conceal interest" strategically to avoid revealing your position or intentions prematurely.

Common error

While appropriate in formal or strategic settings, avoid using "conceal interest" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hide" or "not show" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceal interest" functions as a verb phrase, where "conceal" is the verb and "interest" is the noun acting as the object. It describes the action of hiding or not revealing one's enthusiasm or involvement in something, often for strategic or ethical reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conceal interest" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of hiding one's involvement or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for written English. Although relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, consider simpler alternatives for informal situations, and always be mindful of the ethical implications of concealing your interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hide interest

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of keeping interest from being seen.

mask interest

Suggests covering up interest to make it less noticeable.

disguise interest

Implies altering the appearance of interest to deceive others.

suppress interest

Focuses on holding back or restraining the expression of interest.

cover up interest

Indicates an attempt to prevent interest from becoming known.

keep interest secret

Emphasizes maintaining the confidentiality of one's interest.

not reveal interest

Highlights the act of withholding information about one's interest.

downplay interest

Suggests minimizing the importance or visibility of one's interest.

obscure interest

Implies making interest unclear or difficult to perceive.

camouflage interest

Suggests blending interest into the background to avoid detection.

FAQs

How can I use "conceal interest" in a sentence?

You can use "conceal interest" to describe the act of hiding or not revealing one's enthusiasm or involvement in something. For example: "He tried to conceal his interest in the project to maintain a neutral stance during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "conceal interest"?

You can use alternatives such as "hide interest", "mask interest", or "disguise interest depending on the context.

Is it always ethical to "conceal interest"?

Whether it's ethical to "conceal interest" depends on the context. In some negotiations, it might be a strategic move, while in situations requiring transparency, it could be considered unethical. Always consider the implications and potential consequences.

When is it appropriate to use "conceal interest" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "conceal interest" in formal writing, such as legal documents, business reports, or news articles, where the nuance of hiding or not revealing one's involvement is important. In more informal contexts, simpler terms may be preferable.