keep it under wraps

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep it under wraps" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to keep something a secret or confidential. Example: "The company's new product is still in development, so please keep it under wraps until the official launch in two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Although Chand never had permission to build on the site, and technically the garden and its sculptures were illegal, he managed to keep it under wraps for 18 years before the authorities became aware of it.

The Guardian - Travel

The Kremlin's media is doing its best to downplay the nationwide strike (or keep it under wraps), except to publish rare "good news," such as Kuban drivers opting out.

Forbes

How did you keep it under wraps?

The New York Times - Magazine

With so many scientifically backed benefits, we just can't keep it under wraps any longer.

Harvard University

I see no reason to keep it under wraps when he's long dead and gone.

The Guardian - Books

Speaking of them, if you do build a water car, keep it under wraps.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"He's always had a quirk and when he was running well we'd kept it under wraps but just recently it has reared its ugly head since his injury.

The Guardian - Sport

Hamm keeps it under wraps.

The New York Times - Sports

Several of the team's veterans were disgruntled with Ftorek, but they kept it under wraps.

The New York Times - Sports

"But [the musicians] were loyal to his vision [and] they just kept it under wraps until it was released.

The Guardian - Music

Burn, according to his autobiography, thereafter accepted his bisexuality but kept it under wraps due to the norms of the time.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep it under wraps", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for your reader.

Common error

While "keep it under wraps" is widely understood, it can sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Opt for phrases like "maintain confidentiality" or "preserve secrecy" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it under wraps" functions as an idiomatic expression, used to advise or instruct someone to maintain secrecy or confidentiality about a particular matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common way to emphasize the need to prevent information from being disclosed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep it under wraps" is a common idiom used to instruct someone to maintain secrecy or confidentiality. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness. While frequently found in news and media, its informal tone makes it less suitable for formal writing, where alternatives like "maintain confidentiality" are more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being kept secret to avoid ambiguity. Key authoritative sources that employ this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep confidential

A more formal way of expressing the need for secrecy.

maintain secrecy

Emphasizes the act of actively preserving confidentiality.

hold in confidence

Highlights the trust placed in someone to not reveal information.

hush it up

Suggests suppressing information, often to avoid scandal or embarrassment.

not breathe a word

An idiomatic expression emphasizing absolute silence about a topic.

conceal the matter

Focuses on hiding or preventing something from being known.

remain tight-lipped

Suggests a refusal to speak about something, often under pressure.

bury the secret

Implies a deliberate and possibly difficult act of hiding information.

mum's the word

A playful idiom encouraging silence and secrecy.

cloak and dagger

Refers to the type of activity associated with espionage and secrets, spy movies, thrillers, intrigues.

FAQs

What does "keep it under wraps" mean?

The expression "keep it under wraps" means to keep something secret or confidential. It implies preventing information from being known or revealed.

How can I use "keep it under wraps" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The launch date is still tentative, so let's "keep it under wraps" for now."

What are some alternatives to saying "keep it under wraps"?

Alternatives include "maintain secrecy", "hold in confidence", or "keep confidential", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "keep it under wraps" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "keep it under wraps" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "preserve secrecy" or "maintain confidentiality" for a more professional tone.