under your hats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under your hats" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It is typically used in informal contexts to suggest keeping something secret or confidential. Example: "Let's keep this plan under your hats until we finalize the details."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Were they under your hats?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Corral loose hair under your hat and spray, braid, or trim it as necessary.

WikiHow

Just keep your extra generosity under your hat.

The New York Times

"You have a heart under your badge", cried Rafa, "you have a brain under your hat.

The Guardian

None of the above information need immediately concern you, however, so keep it under your hat.

The New Yorker

But do me a favor, keep it under your hat as widespread knowledge of its quality might surely harm it.

The New York Times

By William Matthews The New Yorker, December 1 , 1997P. 58 Keep it under your hat, the saying went View Article By Jelani Cobb By Doreen St. Félix By Naomi Fry By Joan Acocella.

The New Yorker

Blaine Gabbert now has the longest streak, with 12. Yes that Blaine Gabbert, keep that under your hat, it's got to be good for bar bets.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's secret, so keep it under your hat!" A release date for the app hasn't been announced beyond the "Coming Soon" message at the end of the video.

The Guardian - Books

"It's part of our job when we work on pitches, you have to keep it under your hat," Aidan McClure (on the right in the photograph) explains regretfully as he shakes my hand.

The Guardian - Money

A hazard of traditional wide-brimmed hats at the races is that cheek kissing becomes difficult (the kisser has to awkwardly duck under your hat to make contact – and then they can get tangled in netting, and can bang-up against the brim).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under your hats" to signal a playful or lighthearted tone when conveying the need for secrecy. It's particularly effective when addressing a small, trusted group.

Common error

Avoid using "under your hats" in formal writing or professional settings. Its informal nature can undermine the seriousness of your message. Opt for more direct phrases like "keep this confidential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under your hats" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used adverbially to modify a verb or clause. It indicates the manner in which something should be kept, suggesting secrecy or confidentiality. Ludwig AI indicates this is an informal suggestion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under your hats" is an informal prepositional phrase signifying the need to keep something secret or confidential. While grammatically acceptable, it is best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase is recognized, it may lead to misunderstandings and suggests alternatives such as "keep it confidential" or "keep it a secret" for clarity. Its usage is infrequent, primarily appearing in news media and wiki content. Therefore, it's essential to consider the audience and context before using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it confidential

Focuses on the confidentiality aspect, omitting the implied method of concealment.

keep it a secret

Directly states the need for secrecy, without hinting at hidden knowledge.

keep it under wraps

Emphasizes concealing information, similar to hiding something physically.

keep it to yourself

Highlights individual responsibility for maintaining secrecy.

mum's the word

An idiomatic expression indicating a promise to remain silent.

don't breathe a word

Stresses the importance of not revealing information to anyone.

let's keep this quiet

Suggests a collaborative effort to maintain discretion.

hold that thought

Implies temporarily suppressing a thought or idea from being shared.

keep it hush-hush

Informal way to stress the need for secrecy and discretion.

between you and me

Indicates that the information shared should not be disclosed to others.

FAQs

What does "under your hats" mean?

The phrase "under your hats" is an informal way of saying that something should be kept secret or confidential. It implies that information should be hidden or concealed.

When is it appropriate to use "under your hats"?

It is appropriate to use "under your hats" in informal settings, such as among friends or close colleagues, when you want to emphasize the need to keep something secret in a lighthearted manner. However, you should avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "under your hats"?

You can use alternatives like "keep it confidential", "keep it a secret", or "keep it under wraps" depending on the context.

Is "under your hats" grammatically correct?

While not a standard idiom, "under your hats" is generally understood and grammatically sound as a prepositional phrase. However, its usage is limited to informal contexts. In more formal writing, it's best to use more established phrases to avoid ambiguity.