kept under wraps

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept under wraps" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to keep something secret or confidential, or to hide something from the public eye. Example: The company's new product launch was kept under wraps until the official announcement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such details are still kept under wraps.

The New York Times

The exact method is kept under wraps.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Khosrowshahi's candidacy was kept under wraps.

The New York Times - Tech

An old and inaccurate voters' roll was kept under wraps.

The Economist

Crime reports are to be kept under wraps.

The Guardian

The location, however, is being kept under wraps for now.

The Guardian

His affected relatives were all kept under wraps.

The Guardian

Here, we consider four types of information that may be best kept under wraps.

Harvard University

The private ceremony was taped and kept under wraps until Nov. 4.

Yale University

The show's vote totals are always kept under wraps — and remain that way.

The New York Times - Books

Details of the billboard, special guests and performances are being kept under wraps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept under wraps" when you want to emphasize that information is intentionally being hidden or not disclosed. It is suitable for situations where there is a deliberate effort to maintain secrecy.

Common error

While "kept under wraps" is versatile, avoid using it in extremely casual or informal conversations. Alternatives like "secret" or "hush-hush" might be more appropriate in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept under wraps" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is being concealed or treated as a secret. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to express the idea of secrecy or confidentiality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept under wraps" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is being intentionally concealed or kept secret. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's best to use "kept under wraps" to highlight the deliberate act of maintaining secrecy, while being mindful of the register and choosing alternative expressions, such as "remained confidential" or "stayed secret", in more casual settings. The phrase’s frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained confidential

Focuses on the confidentiality aspect, emphasizing that information was not shared.

stayed secret

Highlights the secrecy, suggesting that the information was actively concealed.

held back from disclosure

Emphasizes the act of preventing information from being revealed.

not revealed

A simple way to state that something was not made public.

concealed from view

Suggests a deliberate attempt to hide something.

hidden from the public eye

Highlights the fact that something was kept away from public awareness.

treated as classified information

Emphasizes the official or formal nature of the secrecy.

shrouded in secrecy

Implies a mysterious or intriguing element to the secrecy.

under a veil of secrecy

Similar to 'shrouded in secrecy', but with a slightly different metaphorical image.

off the record

Specifically relates to information not intended for public reporting.

FAQs

How to use "kept under wraps" in a sentence?

You can use "kept under wraps" to describe information that is being intentionally concealed. For example, "The details of the merger were "kept under wraps" until the official announcement".

What can I say instead of "kept under wraps"?

You can use alternatives like "remained confidential", "stayed secret", or "not revealed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "kept under wraps" or "keep under wraps"?

"Kept under wraps" is the past participle form, often used as an adjective or in passive voice constructions. "Keep under wraps" is the infinitive form. For example, "The information was "kept under wraps"" versus "We need to "keep under wraps"" this project.

What's the difference between "kept under wraps" and "classified"?

"Classified" usually refers to information that is officially designated as secret by a government or organization, often with legal restrictions on its disclosure. "Kept under wraps" is a more general term for information that is being intentionally concealed, regardless of whether it is officially classified.