keep something secret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep something secret" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of not disclosing information to others. Example: "She decided to keep her plans secret until the surprise party." Alternative expressions include "keep something hidden" and "maintain confidentiality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Would you keep something secret because you were told that it could endanger an operation?

The New Yorker

But then it's often said that if you want keep something secret, announce it in the House of Commons.

Independent

Even if every individual decision to keep something secret could be justified, the total effect was harmful, he argued.

The Guardian

There's now an onus on officials to provide a reason if they want to keep something secret.

The Guardian - Tech

"There is always a risk that when you keep something secret, sometimes when it leaks out the impact can be bigger," Ms. Allard said.

The New York Times

Mr. Gutierrez, however, adheres to the principle of the purloined letter: to keep something secret, set it nearby and in plain view.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"If someone's kept something secret for 100,000 years it's going to be really fucking funny when someone talks about it for the first time," says Caitlin. "You're reaping 100,000 years' worth of shame in one fucking line!" Women in comedy generally don't like talking about women in comedy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In general, most webmasters won't need to deal with the noferrer tag, unless they want to keep something hidden (like a secret admin panel).

Forbes

The message seems to be that if you really want to keep something private, treat it as a secret, and in the age of algorithmic analysis and big data, perhaps best to follow Winston Smith's bitter lesson from Nineteen Eighty-Four: "If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself".

The Guardian

A decade also seems like a long time to keep something like this secret.

TechCrunch

And you can't keep something like this a secret.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep something secret", ensure the context clearly defines what is being kept secret and why. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keep something secret" without specifying what the "something" is. Unclear references can confuse the reader and weaken the message. Provide sufficient context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep something secret" functions as a verb phrase describing the act of maintaining the confidentiality of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep something secret" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of concealing information. According to Ludwig AI, its function is to instruct or describe the non-disclosure of information in various settings. While its register is generally neutral, its usage is most prevalent in news and media, followed by wiki and academic contexts. Effective writing employs this phrase with clear context, specifying what is being kept secret and why. Alternatives such as "maintain confidentiality" or "hide a secret" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain confidentiality

Focuses on the professional or ethical obligation to keep information private.

conceal information

Emphasizes the act of hiding information from others.

hide a secret

Directly refers to the act of concealing a piece of sensitive information.

keep under wraps

Suggests keeping something covered or hidden until the appropriate time.

hold back information

Implies withholding information that could be shared.

stonewall

This is a more forceful term that denotes an unwillingness to provide access to information or to answer questions.

keep mum about something

An idiomatic expression suggesting to remain silent about something.

refrain from disclosing

Highlights a conscious decision to not reveal certain information.

clam up

Suggests a sudden refusal to speak or provide information.

keep it hush-hush

Suggests a need for secrecy through a repetitive phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep something secret" to describe the act of not revealing information. For example, "They decided to keep their wedding plans secret until the last minute".

What are some alternatives to "keep something secret"?

Alternatives include "maintain confidentiality", "conceal information", or "hide a secret".

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep something as secret"?

While understandable, "keep something secret" is more grammatically sound and frequently used. "As secret" often implies a comparison or condition that is missing in the original phrase.

What's the nuance between "keep something secret" and "keep something confidential"?

"Keep something secret" generally implies hiding information from others, while "keep something confidential" often suggests a duty or agreement to maintain privacy, typically in a professional context.