hush hush

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hush hush" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to suggest that something is a secret or that someone is not to be talked about. For example: "They were having an affair, but they tried to keep it hush hush."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Hush, Hush".

The New York Times - Books

Rather it being hush, hush.

The Guardian - Sport

This could easily have been hush hush.

The New York Times

For Hush Hush is about filicide.

The Guardian - Books

Mike Noonan the detective, pink herring and the Hush Hush blouse.

The New Yorker

Hush, hush!

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But it's hush-hush.

The Washington Post

It's entitled 'Hush-Hush'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nudity is hush-hush".

The New York Times

It's pretty hush-hush".

The New York Times

It's not really hush-hush.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase can function as both an adjective (a "hush hush" project) and an adverbial phrase (they kept it "hush hush"). Choose the placement that best fits your sentence flow.

Common error

Avoid using "hush hush" in legal contracts, formal academic papers, or official business reports. While it is grammatically correct and found in Ludwig AI examples, its colloquial tone can undermine the professional nature of serious documents. Opt for "confidential" or "proprietary" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hush hush" is a reduplicative compound that functions primarily as an adjective or an adverb. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote that something is meant to be a secret. Grammatically, it often follows a linking verb (e.g. "everything was hush hush") or precedes a noun (e.g. "a hush hush operation").

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

General Reference

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hush hush" is a versatile and common English idiom used to describe something secret or confidential. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various media platforms, particularly in journalism. While it effectively conveys a sense of secrecy, writers should be mindful of its slightly informal tone. In professional or official settings, consider using more formal alternatives like "confidential" or "classified". However, for storytelling, news reporting, and general conversation, "hush hush" remains a perfect choice for adding a touch of intrigue to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top secret

More formal and often associated with government or military classifications

under wraps

A closer idiomatic equivalent focusing on things being hidden from public view

confidential

A formal and professional term typically used in business or legal contexts

classified

Suggests a formal restriction of information by an authority

sub rosa

A Latin-derived academic or legal term for things happening in secret

off the record

Specifically refers to information not for publication, common in journalism

clandestine

Carries a stronger connotation of illicit or illegal activities

discreet

Focuses more on the personality trait of being careful not to cause offense or reveal secrets

surreptitious

Emphasizes the stealthy or sneaky nature of an action

on the quiet

A British English idiom used for actions done without making them known

FAQs

How to use "hush hush" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a secret situation, such as: "The company's new product development was kept very "hush hush" to avoid tipping off competitors."

Is "hush hush" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to informal. While frequently used in high-quality news outlets like the "The New York Times", it is less common in "formal academic writing" where more technical terms are preferred.

What is the difference between "hush hush" and "top secret"?

While both mean secret, "top secret" usually refers to official military or government classification, whereas "hush hush" is used for social, business, or personal secrets.

Can "hush-hush" be written with a hyphen?

Yes, both "hush hush" and "hush-hush" are acceptable. The hyphenated version is often preferred when the phrase functions as an adjective before a noun.