strict confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"strict confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something should be kept secret and not shared with anyone else. Example: Please handle this information with strict confidence and do not share it with anyone outside of our team.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Anyone with information please contact Crime and Justice Blog in strict confidence.

The Guardian

Receiving Party shall hold and maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence for the benefit of the Disclosing Party.

The New Yorker

Information provided and obtained during the vetting process will be treated in strict confidence and is held separately from recruitment information.

The Guardian

Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time.

The Guardian - Sport

To comment on a specific case, please send an email, in strict confidence, to [email protected], making sure to put 'tipping' in the subject field.

Independent

To pre-empt Republican charges that Mr. Dean had been sprung on them, Mr. Dash scheduled a special Saturday session at which Mr. Thompson could question the former counsel in strict confidence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Under the strictest confidence, Emil told Kostya that he was finished with the Soviet Union.

The New Yorker

I want to reiterate that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Independent

He added that police were willing to speak to people "in the strictest confidence".

Independent

In the experimental kitchen, dozens of new recipes are developed and tested every year in conjunction with the UK's major retailers – all in strictest confidence.

The Guardian - Business

Hamilton explained: "I need someone to review in strictest confidence the draft to check whether the science is sufficiently robust to support its conclusions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When promising "strict confidence", ensure you have robust systems in place to protect sensitive information, such as secure storage and limited access controls.

Common error

Don't assume everyone understands what "strict confidence" means to you. Explicitly define the scope and limitations of the confidentiality agreement to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strict confidence" functions primarily as a modifier, often used to assure individuals or entities that sensitive information will be handled with utmost secrecy and discretion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly employed to emphasize the importance of keeping information private.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strict confidence" is a widely used phrase emphasizing the utmost secrecy and discretion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, primarily in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure you have robust measures to protect sensitive data and clearly define the scope of confidentiality to prevent misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "absolute secrecy" or "utmost discretion" can be used for nuanced communication. Understanding the implications and proper usage of "strict confidence" is crucial for building trust and maintaining ethical standards in professional and personal interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete confidentiality

Replaces 'strict' with 'complete' and 'confidence' with 'confidentiality', both synonymous emphasizing full secrecy.

in strictest secrecy

Rephrases to emphasize the manner of secrecy, not the confidence itself.

total secrecy

Replaces 'strict' with 'total', indicating a complete lack of disclosure.

absolute secrecy

Replaces 'confidence' with 'secrecy', focusing on the state of being kept secret.

highly confidential

Adjective phrase emphasizing the sensitivity of the information.

highest level of confidentiality

Specifies the degree of confidentiality expected.

ironclad confidentiality

Implies a strong, unbreakable level of secrecy.

utmost discretion

Emphasizes carefulness and restraint in handling sensitive information, rather than just secrecy.

assured secrecy

Focuses on the guarantee that something will remain secret.

guaranteed privacy

Shifts the focus to the assurance of keeping something private.

FAQs

How can I use "strict confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "strict confidence" to assure someone that their information will be kept secret. For example, "All information shared during the interview will be treated in "strict confidence"."

What's the difference between "strict confidence" and "confidentiality"?

"Strict confidence" implies a high degree of secrecy and discretion, while "confidentiality" generally refers to the state of keeping information private. The former emphasizes the rigor of the secrecy, while the latter describes the state.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "strict confidence"?

Alternatives include "absolute secrecy", "utmost discretion", or "complete confidentiality" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highly strict confidence"?

Yes, saying "highly strict confidence" is generally considered redundant. The word "strict" already implies a high level of adherence and secrecy, so adding "highly" doesn't significantly enhance the meaning.