secret agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secret agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an understanding or arrangement between parties that is not disclosed to others. Example: "The two companies entered into a secret agreement to collaborate on the new project without informing their shareholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The secret agreement protected Sihanouk's army from attacks by the Vietnamese but compromised his neutralist policies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There is no backroom deal, no secret agreement," Mr. Cameron said.

The New York Times

Perhaps - though this seems most unlikely - Roosevelt was in secret agreement with Coughlin's paranoid tirades.

The Guardian

"Not only should there not be a secret agreement, there shouldn't be secret deals full stop.

The Guardian

The majority have been silent, either out of fear for themselves or out of secret agreement.

The New York Times - Magazine

That secret agreement was never shown to the N.B.A., league officials said.

The New York Times - Sports

Rouhani's government has vehemently denied claims about a secret agreement parallel to the interim deal.

The Guardian

"Nurse pay should be set by the market, not by a secret agreement among hospitals".

The New York Times

In 55 Pompey and Crassus were consuls, and the contents of their secret agreement were slowly revealed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parliament was kept in the dark about the secret agreement, approved by then-foreign secretary David Miliband.

The Guardian

But the president's advisers categorically deny any secret agreement with the authors of the military takeover in March 2012.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "secret agreement". It often implies something underhanded or controversial, so use it judiciously.

Common error

Avoid using "secret agreement" merely for sensationalism. Ensure there is genuine evidence or strong suggestion of secrecy to justify its use, as overuse can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secret agreement" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It describes an agreement or pact that is intentionally kept hidden or not made public.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secret agreement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an understanding or arrangement kept hidden from certain parties. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and encyclopedia sources, it serves to expose or discuss concealed arrangements, often with implications of wrongdoing. While generally neutral, its connotations should be considered carefully. Alternatives like "covert understanding" or "undisclosed arrangement" offer similar meanings with subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secret understanding

A direct synonym, simply replacing "agreement" with "understanding".

covert understanding

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the agreement, replacing "secret" with "covert".

undisclosed arrangement

Highlights that the arrangement is not publicly revealed, using "undisclosed" instead of "secret".

clandestine pact

Replaces "agreement" with "pact" and "secret" with "clandestine", stressing secrecy and formality.

backroom deal

Suggests that the agreement was made informally and privately, often with negative connotations.

hidden compact

Uses "hidden" to highlight the concealed nature and "compact" as a synonym for agreement.

private treaty

Implies a formal agreement that is not made public, suitable for more official contexts.

confidential accord

Uses "confidential" to stress the private nature and "accord" as a synonym for agreement.

under-the-table arrangement

Emphasizes the illicit or questionable nature of the agreement.

unspoken understanding

Focuses on an agreement that may not be explicitly stated but is mutually recognized.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The documents revealed a "secret agreement" between the two corporations."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "secret agreement"?

Consider using "covert understanding", "undisclosed arrangement", or "clandestine pact" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "secret agreement" or "confidential accord"?

Confidential accord may sound slightly more formal due to the use of "accord" instead of "agreement", but both phrases are generally suitable for professional contexts.

What's the difference between a "secret agreement" and an "unspoken understanding"?

A "secret agreement" implies a deliberate and concealed arrangement, while an "unspoken understanding" suggests a mutual but unstated agreement that is not necessarily hidden from others.