keep secret

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep secret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of keeping certain information confidential. For example: "He asked me to keep secret the arrangement we had made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not something you can keep secret.

The Washington Post

What did Mr. Arafat keep secret?

The New York Times

An occasional strike was easy to keep secret.

The New York Times

A factory is really big and hard to keep secret.

The Economist

"The Taliban wanted to keep secret what they had done.

The Guardian

"This kind of thing is hard to keep secret.

The New York Times

Love that a corner room, whatever is not there, all the clutter you keep secret.

The New York Times

More embarrassingly, he said, he was trying to keep secret that he was gay.

The New York Times

Was this a scene that you had to keep secret from other "Mad Men" cast members?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There are some things in the bank supervisor role that you just keep secret".

The New York Times

This was a hard-to-keep secret.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep secret" when you want to emphasize the active effort of maintaining confidentiality. It's suitable for contexts where discretion is key.

Common error

While "keep secret" is widely understood, in formal or academic writing, consider using more precise terms like "maintain confidentiality" or "protect sensitive information" to convey a higher degree of professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep secret" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as a transitive verb and "secret" functions as an adjective modifying what is being kept. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage aligns with standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

11%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep secret" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of maintaining confidentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, from news and media to informal conversations. While direct and universally understood, it's important to consider the specific context when choosing alternative phrases like "maintain confidentiality" or "conceal the truth" for a more tailored and professional tone. Remember to avoid overuse in formal writing and, as always, prioritize clear and precise language to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain confidentiality

Emphasizes the ethical or legal obligation to protect sensitive information.

conceal the truth

Highlights the act of hiding something that is factual or real.

withhold information

Focuses on the act of not providing information that might otherwise be shared.

keep under wraps

Implies keeping something secret to prevent premature disclosure.

guard closely

Highlights the protective aspect of keeping something secret, suggesting value or vulnerability.

bury the secret

Suggests actively suppressing a secret to ensure it is not revealed.

mum's the word

An informal expression indicating an agreement to keep something secret.

shroud in secrecy

Emphasizes the deliberate attempt to make something mysterious or hidden.

keep from public knowledge

Focuses on preventing information from becoming widely known.

hide from view

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical concealment.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep secret" in sentences like, "They wanted to "keep secret" their plans for the future", or "It's important to "keep secret" any confidential information".

What are some alternatives to "keep secret"?

Alternatives to "keep secret" include "maintain confidentiality", "conceal the truth", or "withhold information", depending on the context.

What does it mean to "keep secret" something?

To "keep secret" means to not reveal or disclose information, ensuring it remains private or confidential.

When is it appropriate to "keep secret" information?

It is appropriate to "keep secret" information that is sensitive, confidential, or could cause harm if disclosed. This could include personal details, business strategies, or government intelligence.