keep mum

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep mum' is a valid expression and it can be used in written English.
It means to be silent or not say anything about something. For example: We agreed to keep mum about the surprise party for our friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We have to keep mum.

The New Yorker

Who had the willpower to keep mum?

The New York Times

Keep mum: Apple makes device makers sign strict nondisclosure agreements.

MIT Technology Review

Leigh is said to keep mum about his working methods.

The Guardian - Film

He said, 'It looks like it,"' and told her to keep mum.

The New York Times

But if I've lost those same 15 pounds because of a terrible flesh-eating virus, I'd rather you keep mum.

The New York Times

For sellers, it may be tempting to keep mum about a new development, especially if construction hasn't started yet.

The New York Times

An item labelled "profit" lets you keep mum about the losses transferred to a money-losing charity affiliate.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the beautiful hillside gardens should keep mums and dads amused.

The Guardian - Travel

Keep mums away from street lights or artificial light during the nighttime hours.

WikiHow

Mr. Rumsfeld himself, who is famous for keeping his own counsel, also kept mum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep mum", ensure the context is appropriate for an informal tone. In formal writing, consider using "remain silent" or "maintain confidentiality".

Common error

Avoid using "keep mum" in highly formal or academic writing. While it's widely understood, it can come across as too casual in certain professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep mum" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It acts as a directive, advising or instructing someone to remain silent about something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys the sense of not revealing sensitive or secret information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep mum" is a common and generally acceptable idiomatic expression meaning to remain silent or not disclose information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase in written English. While versatile, it leans towards informality and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "remain silent" or "maintain confidentiality". Remember to wield this phrase wisely, ensuring your tone aligns with the intended audience and purpose. As highlighted in the best practices, awareness of formality is key to effective communication when using "keep mum".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mum's the word

This is a close synonym, also an idiomatic expression indicating a need for secrecy.

say nothing

This is a simple and direct way to express the idea of not speaking.

remain silent

This is a more formal way to suggest not speaking, omitting the idiomatic quality of "keep mum".

not breathe a word

This emphasizes the importance of keeping something a secret.

stay quiet

This suggests a temporary state of not making noise or speaking.

keep it under wraps

This emphasizes the need to conceal something from public knowledge.

hold one's tongue

This implies a conscious effort to not speak, often to avoid saying something inappropriate.

button one's lip

This is an idiomatic expression meaning to stop talking.

clam up

This suggests becoming suddenly silent, often due to nervousness or fear.

zip it

This is a very informal and direct way to tell someone to be quiet.

FAQs

What does "keep mum" mean?

"Keep mum" means to stay silent or not reveal a secret. It's an idiomatic expression used to encourage discretion.

When is it appropriate to use "keep mum"?

It's appropriate in informal settings when asking someone to not disclose information. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "remain silent" or "maintain confidentiality".

What are some synonyms for "keep mum"?

Synonyms include "stay quiet", "hold one's tongue", "mum's the word", and "not breathe a word", each with slightly different connotations.

How would you use "keep mum" in a sentence?

Example: "We need to "keep mum" about the surprise party so she doesn't find out."