kept mum

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept mum" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is not sharing something, typically information, that they know. For example, "The witness kept mum throughout the trial and did not reveal any of the details of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The French carmaker kept mum.

The Economist

Six more kept mum about related trials.

The Economist

The Hells Angels kept mum.

The Guardian

For all these reasons, I kept mum.

The New Yorker

Even Purcell kept mum on the subject.

The New Yorker

She was received cordially, but publicly China kept mum.

The Economist

Once the Berlin Wall went up, the president kept mum.

The New York Times - Books

But Trump was right: Schwartz should have kept mum.

The New Yorker

His sponsors backed away; his fellow racers kept mum.

The New York Times - Sports

On the State Department front, the agency has kept mum.

The Guardian

Is it possible that men have consciously kept mum about the availability of changing tables?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept mum" when you want to emphasize someone's deliberate choice to remain silent about something, especially when they possess relevant information. It adds a sense of secrecy or withholding.

Common error

Avoid using "kept mum" in situations where silence is due to ignorance or lack of awareness, rather than a deliberate decision to withhold information. It implies knowing something but choosing not to reveal it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept mum" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of someone remaining silent or not divulging information. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common idiom used to indicate intentional silence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept mum" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who intentionally remains silent about something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "remained silent" or "held their tongue" exist, "kept mum" carries a slightly more informal tone and emphasizes the deliberate act of withholding information. When employing this phrase, ensure the context aligns with intentional silence, as misuse can occur when attributing silence to ignorance. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was tight-lipped

Implies a deliberate refusal to speak, emphasizing the control over one's words.

didn't breathe a word

Emphasizes complete silence and secrecy, implying a strong commitment to not revealing information.

remained silent

Indicates a general state of not speaking, similar to keeping something secret, but less emphatic on the secrecy aspect.

held their tongue

Suggests a conscious effort to avoid speaking, often to prevent saying something inappropriate.

clammed up

Suggests a sudden unwillingness to speak, often due to nervousness or pressure.

stayed quiet

A more general term for not making noise or speaking, less specific to withholding information.

stonewalled

Indicates a refusal to cooperate or provide information, often in a defensive manner.

refrained from speaking

A formal way of saying someone chose not to speak, highlighting the conscious decision.

kept it secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, rather than just remaining silent.

said nothing

A straightforward way of stating someone didn't speak, lacking the connotation of secrecy.

FAQs

How can I use "kept mum" in a sentence?

You can use "kept mum" to describe someone who intentionally remains silent about a particular topic, such as: "The company "kept mum" about the upcoming product release."

What are some alternatives to saying "kept mum"?

Alternatives include "remained silent", "stayed quiet", or "held their tongue", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "kept mum" or "remained silent"?

Remained silent is generally considered more formal than "kept mum", which has a slightly more informal or colloquial tone.

What's the difference between "kept mum" and "stonewalled"?

"Kept mum" simply means to remain silent, while "stonewalled" implies a deliberate obstruction of communication, often in response to questioning or scrutiny.