keep a secret — to not tell other people about something that someone has told you privately
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to not tell other people about something that someone has told you privately
Pronunciation (IPA): /kiːp ə ˈsiːkrət/
Example Sentences
- My friend told me she likes our teacher, but I promised to keep a secret - my lips are sealed tighter than a pickle jar!
- The company asked all employees to keep a secret about the new product launch until the official announcement.
- Can you keep a secret? I accidentally used salt instead of sugar in the birthday cake, but everyone said it was 'uniquely delicious'!
keep a secret
VERB[/kiːp ə ˈsiːkrət/]
to not tell other people about something that someone has told you privately
She promised to keep a secret about her friend's surprise party.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Keep derives from Old English 'cēpan' meaning 'to watch' or 'to guard', while secret comes from Latin 'secretus', meaning 'separated' or 'hidden'. This phrase has been used since medieval times as a symbol of trust and loyalty.
Breakdown
keep (from Old English cēpan: to watch, guard) + secret (from Latin secretus: hidden, separated). The phrase combines the notion of guardianship with concealment.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My friend told me she likes our teacher, but I promised to keep a secret - my lips are sealed tighter than a pickle jar!”
“The company asked all employees to keep a secret about the new product launch until the official announcement.”
“Can you keep a secret? I accidentally used salt instead of sugar in the birthday cake, but everyone said it was 'uniquely delicious'!”
“Politicians often struggle to keep a secret in today's social media environment.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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