hidden formula

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hidden formula" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a secret or undisclosed method or equation that produces a specific result, often in contexts like mathematics, science, or even business strategies. Example: "The chef revealed his hidden formula for the perfect chocolate cake, which had been a closely guarded secret for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some go further, hiding formulas in a sleeve or in a bathroom stall, Googling facts on an iPhone or snapping a photo of test questions to send to a smart friend for help.

The New York Times

More importantly, all the logic we applied to compute our results were hidden as formulae in cells.

The Guardian

Having disclosed their status might have psychological benefits as they do not have to hide while formula feeding.

BMC Public Health

We have to speak of the Europe of the citoyen, the citizen, the burgermaatschappij, the ciudadano, the obywatel, etc, thus of the antagonisms hidden in the unifying formula "Europe of the citizens".

The Guardian - Opinion

He and his nephews gathered fifty-five packages of formula, hid them under their clothes, and travelled to meet her at a café.

The New Yorker

"If we could make more of us, then the humans would have to accept our existence," she says, with a glint in her eye when Leo informs her that his dad hid the secret formula for giving synths consciousness in his family of dollies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This being a series about the lies we tell to each other and to ourselves, Alex's cylinder hides a formula to facilitate "the end of lies".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Much of the public outrage in China over the dairy scandal is focused on how the problem remained hidden for months as parents bought bad formula without realizing they were poisoning their babies.

The New York Times

The formula for your self-discovery may be hidden in a book.

WikiHow

After deciding she can't do this to her gentle employers, she decides to complete a British spying mission instead, by stealing the formula for a secret explosive, taking a sample home to London hidden in her hat.

The Guardian - Books

The formula that private lenders use to do this analysis is often hidden or remarkably opaque.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hidden formula", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hidden, whether it's a calculation, method, or recipe.

Common error

Avoid using "hidden formula" when a simpler term like "secret" or "unexplained" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly complex or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hidden formula" functions as a noun phrase, where "hidden" modifies the noun "formula". It typically identifies a method or equation that is deliberately kept secret or not readily apparent.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hidden formula" is a noun phrase referring to a secret or undisclosed method. While grammatical and understandable, Ludwig indicates that examples of its usage are currently limited. Alternative phrases like "secret formula" or "undisclosed formula" may be considered depending on the desired nuance. When employing "hidden formula", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific entity to which the secret applies. The phrase is suitable for neutral or professional writing, but avoid overusing it to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secret formula

Replaces "hidden" with "secret", emphasizing the confidential nature of the formula.

undisclosed formula

Uses "undisclosed" instead of "hidden", highlighting that the formula hasn't been revealed.

covert formula

Replaces "hidden" with "covert", implying secrecy and possibly deception.

concealed formula

Uses "concealed", emphasizing the act of keeping the formula from being known.

secret recipe

Substitutes "formula" with "recipe", implying a specific set of ingredients or steps kept secret.

unrevealed method

Replaces both "hidden" and "formula" to indicate a process that has not been made public.

private formula

Emphasizes that the formula is restricted to a limited group or individual.

esoteric formula

Suggests the formula is known only to a select few with specialized knowledge.

proprietary formula

Indicates the formula is legally protected and owned by a specific entity.

closely guarded secret

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for something kept strictly confidential.

FAQs

How can "hidden formula" be used in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's success relies on a "hidden formula" for customer retention" or "Scientists are trying to decipher the "hidden formula" behind the plant's unusual growth pattern".

What is a common synonym for "hidden formula"?

A common synonym is "secret formula", which also suggests something confidential and not widely known.

Is it appropriate to use "hidden formula" in formal writing?

Yes, "hidden formula" can be used in formal writing, particularly when discussing scientific or business strategies where a precise, yet undisclosed, method is relevant.

What's the difference between "hidden formula" and "proprietary formula"?

"Hidden formula" implies something is simply not revealed, while "proprietary formula" suggests the formula is legally protected and owned by a specific entity.