keep it secret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it secret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone not to share a piece of information with others. For example, "I know who broke the window, but please keep it secret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By its very definition, it's supposed to hoard information and keep it secret from the masses.

The New York Times

And most keep it secret.

The New York Times

Why did you keep it secret?

The New York Times

You've got to keep it secret.

The New York Times

We must keep it secret".

The Guardian - Books

A. You've got to keep it secret.

The New York Times

Been asked to keep it secret".

The New York Times - Sports

Keep it secret, keep it safe.

The Guardian - Film

Up to the end, they wanted to keep it secret.

Independent

Additionally, the owner of such information would have reasonably attempted to keep it secret and confidential.

Pharmaceutical Medicine and Translational Clinical Research

Nor was any attempt made to keep it secret.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep it secret" when you want to emphasize the importance of not revealing information to others, especially when discretion is crucial.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "keep it secret" in highly formal documents like legal agreements. Opt for alternatives such as "maintain confidentiality" or "refrain from disclosure" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it secret" functions as an imperative, urging someone to maintain confidentiality. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, and the examples show it applied in various scenarios where discretion is valued.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

18%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep it secret" is a versatile and widely used phrase for emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and informal communications. While generally neutral, its tone can shift towards informality depending on the situation. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "maintain confidentiality". When using "keep it secret", remember that it directly urges discretion and the protection of sensitive information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it to yourself

Directly instructs someone to not share the information.

keep it under wraps

Suggests hiding something, often temporarily.

don't breathe a word

A strong imperative to maintain absolute secrecy.

guard the information

Implies protecting sensitive information from being leaked.

maintain confidentiality

Emphasizes the act of preserving secrecy, suitable for formal contexts.

bury the secret

Suggests suppressing or deeply concealing a secret.

refrain from disclosure

A formal way to express the act of not revealing something.

hold it back

Implies restraint in revealing information; more informal.

mum's the word

An informal expression ensuring silence on a topic.

sit on it

An informal way to say to keep something secret, usually temporarily.

FAQs

What does "keep it secret" mean?

The phrase "keep it secret" means to not reveal specific information to anyone else. It's a request or instruction to maintain confidentiality.

How can I use "keep it secret" in a sentence?

You might say, "I'm telling you this, but you have to "keep it secret"" to emphasize the confidentiality of the information.

What can I say instead of "keep it secret"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain confidentiality", "keep it confidential", or "don't breathe a word" depending on the context.

Is "keep it secret" appropriate for all situations?

While generally acceptable, "keep it secret" might be too informal for certain professional or academic settings. Consider using a more formal phrase like "refrain from disclosure" in such cases.