in complete confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"in complete confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is meant to be kept private between the speaker and listener, and should not be shared with anyone else. For example: "I'm going to tell you this in complete confidence, but I got a promotion at work last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The audience is in complete confidence with her".

The New York Times

"Now, the C.E.C. works in complete confidence," he said.

The New York Times

The president also knew he could speak to Mr. Fay in complete confidence.

The New York Times

"I would encourage anyone still considering making a submission to do so, in complete confidence, to Sport Resolutions UK".

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Hikind said that every complaint he received was in complete confidence, with the understanding that "under no circumstances would their names be known in the community".

The New York Times

"The one thing that I can say, in complete confidence and good conscience, is that Mayor Giuliani has been the greatest friend of the city of Jerusalem for many, many years," Mr. Olmert said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

You know, I think one of the problems is that I am totally grounded to what I believe in, and I have complete confidence in it too.

The New York Times - Magazine

The ultimate deliverable is the owner's expertise and problem solving ability, coupled with an open mind and ease of communication that will result in the customer's complete confidence in immediate and lasting results.

Bplans

For Internet voting to be trustworthy, it must be clear that there is no way for a hacker to break in and voters must have complete confidence in the software being used.

The New York Times

I take great pride in your accomplishments and have complete confidence in your collective ability to continue ESPN's success".

Huffington Post

" Clueless feels like the vanguard of a type of feminism in which you can have complete confidence in your own self-resilience and identity while still wanting to shop".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in complete confidence", ensure the recipient understands the sensitivity of the information and their responsibility to maintain privacy.

Common error

Don't assume everyone interprets "in complete confidence" the same way. Explicitly state any boundaries or expectations for how the information should be handled to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete confidence" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause. Ludwig examples show it is used to qualify how information is shared, indicating an expectation of secrecy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete confidence" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates information shared should be kept private. Ludwig AI identifies its grammatical status as correct and its function as modifying a verb or clause to emphasize secrecy. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from neutral news reports to more formal or scientific settings. Although its frequency is common, explicit communication about the limits of confidentiality remains important to avoid misunderstandings. Related phrases, such as "in strict confidence" or "off the record", offer similar ways to convey discretion, depending on the specific nuances desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in strict confidence

Emphasizes the importance of adhering to confidentiality.

in absolute secrecy

Highlights the necessity of maintaining complete secrecy.

under the cloak of confidentiality

Uses a more metaphorical expression to convey secrecy.

with the utmost discretion

Focuses on careful and prudent handling of sensitive information.

in a confidential manner

A more general term indicating something is done privately.

between you and me

An informal expression indicating information is not to be shared further.

off the record

Indicates information is not for public release.

in privacy

A general term for doing something away from public view.

in secret

A straightforward expression for keeping something hidden.

in secrecy

A slightly more formal version of "in secret".

FAQs

What does "in complete confidence" mean?

The phrase "in complete confidence" means that the information shared should be kept private and not disclosed to anyone else.

How can I use "in complete confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "in complete confidence" to preface a disclosure, like: "I'm telling you this "in complete confidence", as I trust you won't share it with anyone."

What are some alternatives to saying "in complete confidence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in strict confidence", "in absolute secrecy", or "off the record", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "in complete confidence"?

While "confidence" inherently implies privacy, adding "complete" emphasizes the importance of maintaining that privacy and can reinforce the understanding.