divulge nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divulge nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to keep information confidential or to not share any details. Example: "In this sensitive matter, I must insist that you divulge nothing to anyone outside our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The program's producers provide little historical or sociological context for their project, and they divulge nothing whatever about their curatorial policies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After an abandoned attempt to use a pay phone and a run-in with the local police (in which Benny divulges nothing), Benny decides to keep the secret of the woman's death to himself.

The New York Times - Books

The company divulges almost nothing about its costs or margins but is said to run its Web Services business on huge networks of computers costing as little as $300 each.

Forbes

She divulges little or nothing about other relationships except her happy marriage to a cameraman, with whom she has a son.

The New York Times - Books

All these years on, there's nothing I can say or divulge about Brad Pitt that would be remotely interesting to any intelligent being.

Huffington Post

Edward asked him "not even when gentlemen have given their word not to divulge it?"; Somerset replied that "It is impossible, sir. Nothing in the world known to ten people was ever kept secret".

Wikipedia

A founding member and principal with her hometown Cleveland Ballet, the impeccably mannered Ms. Pribisco, who refused to divulge her age and named Jacqueline Kennedy as a role model, resembles nothing so much as a knockout soccer mom: slender frame elegantly erect, unlined face buffed with just a hint of makeup, glossy chestnut mane pulled back in a ponytail.

The New York Times - Arts

The look on Lena's face as he divulges his theory leaves nothing to the imagination.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Every concert has sold out — even the "blind date" programs, about which nothing is divulged in advance.

The New Yorker

But Gretchen Goldman, a lead analyst at the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union for Concerned Scientists, told the Guardian that the EPA's study – which is now open for comment – was nothing "more than a literature review" and called for the industry to be required to divulge greater data.

The Guardian

But most often Barbie prods me to divulge, divulge, divulge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divulge nothing" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of disclosure, often in situations where discretion is paramount.

Common error

While "divulge nothing" is appropriate for formal contexts, avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler phrases like "don't tell anyone" or "keep it secret" would be more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divulge nothing" functions as a directive or instruction, emphasizing the complete withholding of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divulge nothing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to strongly emphasize the need to keep information completely secret. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is typically found in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternative phrases such as "reveal nothing" or "disclose nothing" can be used for similar effect. While the phrase is effective in conveying the importance of confidentiality, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal nothing

Uses "reveal" instead of "divulge", keeping the meaning of not disclosing information.

disclose nothing

Replaces "divulge" with "disclose", emphasizing the act of not making information known.

keep secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy without sharing any information.

withhold information

Emphasizes the act of intentionally not providing information.

remain silent

Shifts the focus to the act of staying quiet and not speaking about something.

decline to comment

A more formal way of saying not to provide information, often used in professional settings.

refuse to disclose

Highlights the refusal to make information public or known.

not breathe a word

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete absence of disclosure.

keep under wraps

Suggests that information is being carefully concealed or kept secret.

clam up

An informal way of saying someone is refusing to talk or give information.

FAQs

How can I use "divulge nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "divulge nothing" to emphasize the importance of keeping information completely secret. For instance, "In this sensitive matter, I must insist that you "divulge nothing" to anyone outside our team."

What does "divulge nothing" mean?

"Divulge nothing" means to not reveal or disclose any information whatsoever. It stresses the complete absence of disclosure.

What's a less formal way to say "divulge nothing"?

Less formal alternatives include "don't tell anyone", "keep it secret", or "don't breathe a word".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "divulge nothing"?

It's appropriate to use "divulge nothing" in formal or serious contexts where maintaining secrecy is crucial, such as legal matters, confidential business negotiations, or sensitive personal situations.