let no one know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let no one know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the idea of keeping something secret or confidential. Example: "I have a surprise planned for her birthday, so let no one know about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You let no one know where the focus lay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I advised that you should not let any one know about the business.

The New York Times

Before we get into that, let's remember that no one knows yet if this is a suicide.

Huffington Post

"Our families said, 'You can't let "them" win,' even though no one knew yet who 'them' were," said Ms. Bozzi, 29, a publicist.

The New York Times

While the researchers' idea was to let the embryos live only transiently, no one knows what kind of creature might result from a mixture of mouse and human embryonic stem cells.

The New York Times - Science

The exact reason, no one knows and, let's be honest, barely matters.

Huffington Post

Let no one say that India doesn't know how to bang the drum slowly when victorious.

The Guardian - Sport

It lets me inhabit that moment when no one knew what was going to happen, when the people involved didn't know, the reporters covering it didn't know.

The New Yorker

They should have known better: "Let no one unskilled in geometry enter," was purportedly written over the entrance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Social support is broadly defined as the existence or availability of people on whom one can rely; people who let one know that they are cared about, valued, and loved [ 1].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Examples include being able to query for a structure where the search results would let one know if the queried structure is covered by a specific type of patent (for example, a patent containing markush structures).

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase sparingly for dramatic effect or when explicitly requesting secrecy. In most cases, more direct alternatives are preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "let no one know" in everyday conversation. It can sound overly formal or theatrical. Instead, opt for simpler phrases like "don't tell anyone" or "keep it a secret".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let no one know" functions as an imperative, giving a direct command or instruction to keep something secret. This usage aligns with Ludwig's validation of the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let no one know" is a grammatically sound phrase used to instruct secrecy, though often perceived as slightly formal. Ludwig confirms its validity in written English. While commonly found across various sources including news, science, and wikis, it's essential to consider context, as simpler alternatives are often preferred in casual settings. Remember to use this phrase when explicitly requesting discretion and to avoid overuse in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it a secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy.

don't tell anyone

Direct instruction to avoid sharing information.

keep this between us

Highlights the exclusivity of the secret.

keep it confidential

Highlights the sensitivity of the information.

not a word to anyone

Emphasizes the importance of absolute silence.

don't breathe a word

Stresses the need for discretion.

keep this under wraps

Suggests concealing something until a specific time.

let it remain unspoken

More formal and emphasizes keeping something unsaid.

ensure discretion

Focuses on the importance of careful and private handling of information.

mum's the word

Informal way to agree to keep a secret.

FAQs

What does "let no one know" mean?

The phrase "let no one know" means to keep something a secret and not tell anyone about it. It's an imperative phrase urging discretion.

How can I use "let no one know" in a sentence?

You can use "let no one know" when you want to emphasize the importance of secrecy. For example: "I have a surprise planned for her, so "let no one know" about it."

Are there more informal ways to say "let no one know"?

Yes, instead of "let no one know", you could say "don't tell anyone" or "keep it a secret". These alternatives are more suitable for casual conversation.

When should I use "let no one know" versus "keep it confidential"?

"Let no one know" is a general instruction to maintain secrecy. "Keep it confidential" /s/keep+it+confidential emphasizes the sensitive nature of the information and the need for careful handling.