Learn English idioms for talking about secrets.
With meanings and example sentences.
Scroll down for a free PDF with full video transcript and a mini English idiom quiz to test your knowledge.
Today we’re looking at English idioms for talking about secrecy and discretion. You can use these expressions to talk about keeping secrets, accidentally revealing secrets and to describe secretive behaviours.
Understanding these English idioms will not only help you understand conversations better but also make your speech more natural and engaging.
English idioms for talking about secrets
To keep something under your hat
To keep the lid on something
Behind closed doors
To cover your tracks
Under the table
To be a fly on the wall
To let the cat out of the bag
Under wraps
1. To keep something under your hat
Definition: To keep something a secret; not to tell anyone.
Example Sentence: Maria is planning a surprise party for her friend, but she’s keeping it under her hat until the big day.
Imagine you’re wearing a hat and you’re hiding something important underneath it. This idiom is like saying, "Keep this information hidden from everyone."
2. To keep the lid on something
Definition: To keep something secret or hidden; to prevent something from becoming known or getting out of control.
Example Sentence: The company tried to keep the lid on the news of their new product until the official launch date.
Think of a pot with a lid. If you keep the lid on, nothing spills out. This idiom is about keeping information or situations contained and private.
3. Behind closed doors
Definition: In private; away from the public eye.
Example Sentence: The negotiations were held behind closed doors to ensure confidentiality.
Imagine a door that is closed, blocking outsiders from seeing or hearing what is happening inside. This idiom emphasizes privacy and secrecy.
4. To cover your tracks
Definition: To conceal evidence of your actions; to make it difficult for others to discover what you have done.
Example Sentence: After hacking into the system, the hacker carefully covered his tracks to avoid being caught.
This idiom comes from the idea of covering footprints so that no one can follow or find you. It’s about hiding evidence of what you’ve done.
5. Under the table
Definition: Secretly and often illegally; not officially or openly.
Example Sentence: They made a deal under the table to avoid paying taxes.
Imagine slipping something under the table where it can't be seen. This idiom refers to doing something secretly, often with dishonest intentions.
6. To be a fly on the wall
Definition: To be able to observe a situation without being noticed; to hear and see what is happening without participating.
Example Sentence: I would love to be a fly on the wall during their meeting to find out what they are planning.
Imagine being a tiny, unnoticed fly on the wall, able to watch and listen to everything. This idiom expresses the wish to secretly observe something.
7. To let the cat out of the bag
Definition: To reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
Example Sentence: Tom let the cat out of the bag about the surprise trip during dinner last night.
Picture someone holding a bag with a cat inside. If the cat gets out, everyone knows it was there. This idiom is used when someone accidentally reveals a secret.
8. Under wraps
Definition: To keep something secret; to not disclose information about something.
Example Sentence: The details of the new project are being kept under wraps until the official announcement.
Think of something being wrapped up tightly so that no one can see it. This idiom means keeping information hidden from others.