in secret code

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in secret code" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information that is encoded or disguised to prevent unauthorized access or understanding. Example: "The message was written in secret code, making it impossible for anyone else to decipher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Imagine all the useful information written in secret code, I mean a different language.

University of California, Berkeley

They had a "Swallows and Amazons" club, and took turns bringing in "grub" to eat, "grog" and "pemmican"; they sewed badges, and wrote notes in secret code.

The New Yorker

Cryptography, Practice of the enciphering and deciphering of messages in secret code in order to render them unintelligible to all but the intended receiver.

Britannica

So you believe that a prophetic Christian scripture was engraved on golden plates in secret code thousands of years ago and buried near New York, only to be revealed in the 19th century to a farmer by a visiting angel.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Swiss-German modernist author Robert Walser (1878-1956), recently advanced to cult status in the U.S., wrote all his later work in a miniaturized hand, just 1-2 mm high, on scraps of paper, so small that when a cache of these tiny manuscripts was discovered after his death, they were assumed to have been written in secret code.

Columbia University

The archive is full of letters in secret code sent to Rome by papal nuncios as far back as the 14th century, experience of which allowed Vatican spies to crack the coded messages sent between the Savoy royal family and Italian politician Camillo Cavour in the 19th century.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This unseen character, claimed a self-proclaimed "expert" in secret codes who appeared on the chat show, clearly represented the Brotherhood.

The Economist

Language is the gateway to wisdom, the elements of language are letters and numbers, and these signs proliferate in secret codes.

SEP

The answer might be found in our DNA, in the secret code of instinct passed down through the ages.

Unicef

An entry in Beebe's personal journal, written in a secret code that he used when describing things he wished kept secret, reads "I kissed her [Gloria] and she loves me".

Wikipedia

One of the scholars knew of a letter from 1642 — written partly in a secret code, which she had cracked — describing the clothes belonging to the ladies-in-waiting of Henrietta Maria, the Queen Consort of Britain's King Charles I, which had sunk in a shipwreck en route to Rotterdam.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "in secret code" to add an element of mystery or intrigue to the conversation. This can immediately signal to the reader that the characters are involved in something secretive or clandestine.

Common error

Avoid using "in secret code" when you simply mean something is confidential or private. The phrase implies a deliberate attempt to encrypt or hide the message, not just a matter of sensitivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in secret code" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb, indicating the manner in which something is communicated or written. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in secret code" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something written or communicated in a way that is intentionally concealed or encrypted. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely frequent, it is found across diverse contexts, including news, academic works, and wikis. The phrase conveys a sense of mystery and hidden meaning, and should be used when emphasizing the deliberate attempt to obscure information. Related phrases include "in encrypted form" and "in cipher". Common errors involve using it loosely to mean merely 'confidential', rather than actively encrypted. The analyzed data reveals it appears in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Thus, while not an everyday expression, it's a recognized and useful phrase when the context calls for emphasizing hidden communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in code

A shorter, more general term indicating that a message is not plainly written.

in encrypted form

Focuses on the method of encryption rather than the secrecy of the code itself.

using a coded language

Highlights the linguistic aspect of the secret communication.

in cipher

Emphasizes the use of a cryptographic system to obscure the message.

in a private language

Implies that the communication is only understood by a select group.

using a secret system of notation

Emphasizes the structured and systematic approach to concealing the message.

in a clandestine manner

Shifts the focus to the secretive way the message is conveyed.

disguised with a cryptic method

The method of disguising information is based on the cryptic principle.

in veiled terms

Suggests that the message is hidden or disguised but not necessarily encrypted.

expressed esoterically

The content is expressed through a method understood by a small number of people with special knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "in secret code" in a sentence?

You can use "in secret code" to describe messages, diaries, or communications that are intentionally obscured or encrypted. For example, "The spies communicated "in secret code" to avoid detection."

What is a simple substitute for "in secret code"?

A simple substitute is "in code". It conveys the same basic meaning that the message is not in plain language but lacks the emphasis on secrecy.

Is it redundant to say "secret secret code"?

Yes, saying "secret secret code" is redundant. The word "code" already implies that it is a system for keeping information secret or hidden. Therefore, "secret code" is sufficient.

What's the difference between "in code" and "in secret code"?

"In code" generally means a message is encoded, while ""in secret code"" emphasizes the intention to keep the message hidden from unauthorized individuals. The latter suggests a higher level of security or confidentiality.