open secret

USAGE SUMMARY

"open secret" is a correct and usable form of written English.
It is used to describe information that is widely known but generally not officially acknowledged. For example, "Everyone knows who the next CEO will be, but it's still an open secret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an open secret".

The Guardian

It was an open secret.

BBC

His behavior was an open secret.

The New York Times

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukAn Open Secret.

The Economist

That's the Buddha's open secret.

The New York Times - Arts

Everybody knows that; it's an open secret.

The New York Times

'An Open Secret' is released later this year .

Independent

violations, according to some experts — are an open secret.

The New York Times

Public craving for convictions will be an open secret.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the military involvement is an open secret.

The New York Times

That Cukor was gay was something of an open secret.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open secret" when you want to convey that something is widely known within a group or community, even though it's not officially acknowledged or discussed openly. For example, "His impending resignation was an "open secret" among the staff".

Common error

Avoid using "open secret" if the information is only known by a very small group of people, or if it's genuinely a surprise to most. The phrase implies a wider awareness than a closely guarded secret. The phrase indicates information which is not only known but is also not typically talked about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open secret" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies a particular kind of information or fact, as Ludwig AI explains, one that is commonly known but not openly admitted. Ludwig examples showcase its function in describing situations and behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "open secret" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to information widely known but not officially acknowledged. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "poorly kept secret" and "common knowledge". When using "open secret", ensure the information is genuinely known within a community and avoid redundancy by not adding "widely known". Alternatives are available based on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public secret

A more literal rephrasing, underscoring the contradiction.

poorly kept secret

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness of maintaining secrecy.

thinly veiled secret

Indicates that the secrecy is superficially maintained.

poorly concealed truth

Focuses on the lack of effort or ability to hide the truth.

secret in plain sight

Highlights the obvious nature of the supposedly hidden information.

widely known fact

Highlights the broad awareness of the information.

common knowledge

Stresses that the information is generally accepted and understood.

not-so-secret

A casual way to express that something is an open secret.

an unspoken truth

Focuses on the tacit understanding rather than explicit knowledge.

everybody knows

Directly states the widespread knowledge of the information.

FAQs

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

You can use "open secret" to describe information that is widely known but not formally acknowledged. For example, "The company's financial troubles were an "open secret", though management denied them publicly".

What's a good alternative to "open secret"?

Alternatives to "open secret" include "common knowledge", "widely known fact", or "poorly kept secret", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "widely known open secret"?

Yes, saying "widely known open secret" can be considered redundant because the phrase "open secret" already implies that the information is widely known. It's best to stick with just "open secret".

What's the difference between "open secret" and "rumor"?

An "open secret" is generally considered to be true, even if unacknowledged, whereas a "rumor" is a piece of information that may or may not be true. A rumor requires "confirmation", an open secret requires "acknowledgment".