keep it to yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep it to yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone not to share something, usually confidential information. For example: "I heard a rumor that Jim is looking for a new job, but keep it to yourself for now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But keep it to yourself".

The New Yorker

Then keep it to yourself.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, keep it to yourself.

The Guardian - Music

"Then keep it to yourself," she said.

The New York Times - Books

"You've got to keep it to yourself.

The New York Times

That's right, best keep it to yourself.

The New Yorker

So, settle on a name and keep it to yourself.

The New York Times

"Ultimately, there was no way to keep it to yourself".

The New Yorker

If you knew more, kindly keep it to yourself.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"You do keep it to yourself," agrees actor Arthur McBain.

The Guardian

Keep it to yourself, Floyd.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep it to yourself" when you want to ensure someone doesn't share sensitive or confidential information. It's suitable for both casual and more formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "keep it to yourself" in highly formal or professional documents where more sophisticated language is expected. Opt for phrases like "maintain confidentiality" or "ensure discretion" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it to yourself" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to not disclose information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable and correct phrase. Examples show it used when conveying sensitive details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Science

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep it to yourself" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to instruct someone to maintain secrecy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its presence in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While suitable for many situations, it may be too informal for professional settings. Consider alternatives like "maintain confidentiality" in more formal contexts. Use "keep it to yourself" when emphasizing discretion is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it secret

A direct and simple way of saying to keep something undisclosed.

mum's the word

An informal way to emphasize the importance of keeping quiet.

keep this private

Highlights the need to maintain the privacy of the information.

don't breathe a word

Highlights the need for absolute silence and discretion.

let's keep this between us

Implies a shared understanding of secrecy between two or more people.

hold it back

Emphasizes restraint in expressing or revealing something.

don't disclose it

Emphasizes the act of not revealing information.

maintain confidentiality

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, emphasizing professional or ethical obligations.

keep it under wraps

Suggests concealing something to maintain an element of surprise or secrecy.

consider this off the record

Typically used in journalistic contexts, meaning the information is not for publication.

FAQs

How can I use "keep it to yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "keep it to yourself" to ask someone to not share information they have learned. For example, "I'm going to tell you something important, but please "keep it to yourself"".

What does "keep it to yourself" mean?

"Keep it to yourself" means to not share something with others, to maintain confidentiality or secrecy.

What can I say instead of "keep it to yourself"?

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

Is it ever inappropriate to use "keep it to yourself"?

While generally acceptable, "keep it to yourself" might be too informal for very professional or formal settings. In such cases, using phrases like "maintain confidentiality" would be more suitable.