Secrets are things we keep hidden. Sometimes, we don’t want others to know what we are thinking or doing. People might keep secrets for fun, to protect someone, or to surprise a friend. Talking about secrets doesn’t always mean saying the word “secret.” We often use idioms—special phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say.
In this article, we will learn different idioms that are used when talking about secrets. These phrases make stories and conversations more interesting. You may have heard some of them in movies or from adults. Now, you’ll know what they really mean. Let’s explore some fun and useful idioms about secrets.
Idioms About Secrets
1. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret
Example Sentence:
• Sarah spilled the beans about the surprise party.
• He spilled the beans and told everyone about the plan.
Other ways to say: Let it slip, tell the secret
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old way of voting with beans in ancient Greece.
Usage: Used when someone reveals a hidden plan or surprise.
2. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret
Example Sentence:
• I let the cat out of the bag about her gift.
• He let the cat out of the bag before the party.
Other ways to say: Slip up, tell without meaning to
Fun Fact/Origin: From market days when cats were wrongly sold as pigs.
Usage: Used when someone tells something they were supposed to keep quiet.
3. Keep something under wraps
Meaning: To keep something a secret
Example Sentence:
• We’re keeping the project under wraps.
• She kept the big news under wraps.
Other ways to say: Keep it quiet, don’t tell
Fun Fact/Origin: Wraps were used to hide things in stores.
Usage: Used when someone hides a plan or event.
4. In the know
Meaning: To have secret information
Example Sentence:
• Only a few people are in the know.
• If you’re in the know, you understand what’s going on.
Other ways to say: Be informed, have the inside scoop
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase means someone is part of a group that shares secret info.
Usage: Used to talk about someone who has special or hidden knowledge.
5. Skeleton in the closet
Meaning: A hidden and possibly embarrassing secret
Example Sentence:
• Every family has a skeleton in the closet.
• He tried to hide his skeleton in the closet.
Other ways to say: Dark secret, hidden past
Fun Fact/Origin: The idea is that the secret is hidden where no one can see.
Usage: Used when someone has something to hide from others.
6. Hush-hush
Meaning: Very secret or private
Example Sentence:
• The project is hush-hush.
• They had a hush-hush meeting.
Other ways to say: Top secret, private
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hush” is the sound used to tell people to be quiet.
Usage: Used when something is meant to stay a secret.
7. Behind closed doors
Meaning: Done in private
Example Sentence:
• The talks happened behind closed doors.
• All decisions were made behind closed doors.
Other ways to say: In private, secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: Closed doors keep people from seeing or hearing.
Usage: Used when something happens in secret or in a private place.
8. Keep a lid on it
Meaning: To keep something secret
Example Sentence:
• Keep a lid on the surprise.
• We need to keep a lid on the news.
Other ways to say: Don’t tell anyone, keep quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: Like putting a lid on a pot so nothing comes out.
Usage: Used to stop people from sharing information.
9. On the down low
Meaning: To keep it very private
Example Sentence:
• They’re dating on the down low.
• Let’s keep this on the down low.
Other ways to say: Quietly, secretly
Fun Fact/Origin: Often shortened to “on the DL” in modern slang.
Usage: Used when you don’t want others to find out.
10. Keep it to yourself
Meaning: Don’t tell anyone else
Example Sentence:
• I’m telling you, but keep it to yourself.
• She kept it to herself even though it was big news.
Other ways to say: Stay silent, don’t share
Fun Fact/Origin: It means not letting the secret leave your thoughts.
Usage: Used when someone is trusted with a secret.
11. Mum’s the word
Meaning: Don’t tell anyone
Example Sentence:
• Mum’s the word about the surprise.
• He said, “Mum’s the word,” and walked away.
Other ways to say: Stay quiet, don’t spill it
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mum” comes from an old word meaning silence.
Usage: Used when asking someone to stay silent.
12. Sweep under the rug
Meaning: To hide something so others don’t notice
Example Sentence:
• They tried to sweep the mistake under the rug.
• She swept the problem under the rug.
Other ways to say: Hide it, pretend it didn’t happen
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hiding dust by sweeping it under a rug.
Usage: Used when someone hides a mistake or secret.
13. Blow the whistle
Meaning: To tell on someone or reveal a secret
Example Sentence:
• He blew the whistle on the cheating.
• She blew the whistle at work.
Other ways to say: Expose, report
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports where a whistle stops bad behavior.
Usage: Used when someone reports a secret wrongdoing.
14. Keep it close to the vest
Meaning: Not to share your thoughts or plans
Example Sentence:
• He kept the idea close to the vest.
• She plays things close to the vest.
Other ways to say: Keep it private, be secretive
Fun Fact/Origin: From card games where players hide their hand.
Usage: Used when people hide what they are thinking or planning.
15. Under the table
Meaning: Done secretly, often not allowed
Example Sentence:
• He got paid under the table.
• They made the deal under the table.
Other ways to say: Secret deal, unofficial
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hiding actions where others can’t see.
Usage: Used for secret actions, often against the rules.
16. Fly under the radar
Meaning: To avoid being noticed
Example Sentence:
• He flew under the radar all year.
• The plan flew under the radar until the last minute.
Other ways to say: Stay hidden, don’t draw attention
Fun Fact/Origin: From planes that avoid radar detection.
Usage: Used when someone does something secretly or quietly.
17. Seal your lips
Meaning: To promise not to tell
Example Sentence:
• She sealed her lips and didn’t say a word.
• I sealed my lips after hearing the news.
Other ways to say: Zip it, keep silent
Fun Fact/Origin: A picture of closed lips means no talking.
Usage: Used when someone promises not to reveal a secret.
18. A little bird told me
Meaning: Said when you don’t want to say who told you
Example Sentence:
• A little bird told me it’s your birthday.
• “Who told you?” “A little bird.”
Other ways to say: I heard, Someone told me
Fun Fact/Origin: From old stories where birds carry news.
Usage: Used when keeping your source a secret.
19. Button your lip
Meaning: Stop talking
Example Sentence:
• Button your lip before you ruin the surprise.
• He told me to button my lip about it.
Other ways to say: Be quiet, don’t speak
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of sealing lips with a button.
Usage: Used when asking someone to stay quiet.
20. Play it close to the chest
Meaning: To be very secretive
Example Sentence:
• She plays things close to the chest.
• He played it close to the chest and told no one.
Other ways to say: Be private, don’t share
Fun Fact/Origin: Another version of “close to the vest” from card games.
Usage: Used when someone keeps things hidden.
21. Dead giveaway
Meaning: Something that shows the secret
Example Sentence:
• Her smile was a dead giveaway.
• The muddy shoes were a dead giveaway.
Other ways to say: Obvious clue, clear sign
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dead” here means “certain” or “sure.”
Usage: Used when something reveals a secret by accident.
22. Drop a hint
Meaning: To give a clue without saying directly
Example Sentence:
• He dropped a hint about the gift.
• She kept dropping hints all day.
Other ways to say: Suggest, give a clue
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hint” means a light touch or small sign.
Usage: Used when someone gives a clue but not the whole truth.
23. In confidence
Meaning: Told with trust not to share
Example Sentence:
• I told her in confidence.
• This stays in confidence.
Other ways to say: Secretly, privately
Fun Fact/Origin: “Confidence” means trust.
Usage: Used when information should not be passed on.
24. Under the radar
Meaning: Hidden from notice
Example Sentence:
• He stayed under the radar during the event.
• Their plan stayed under the radar.
Other ways to say: Low profile, unnoticed
Fun Fact/Origin: Used with planes avoiding radar signals.
Usage: When something is secret because no one notices.
25. Inside scoop
Meaning: Secret or special information
Example Sentence:
• She had the inside scoop on the project.
• Want the inside scoop? Ask Jake.
Other ways to say: Secret info, behind-the-scenes
Fun Fact/Origin: “Scoop” comes from journalism meaning a big news story.
Usage: Used when someone knows special hidden details.
26. Secret’s out
Meaning: The hidden thing is now known
Example Sentence:
• The secret’s out about the baby.
• Everyone knows—the secret’s out.
Other ways to say: It’s known, word’s out
Fun Fact/Origin: Just a way to say something hidden is now public.
Usage: Used when a secret is finally told.
27. Read between the lines
Meaning: Understand the hidden meaning
Example Sentence:
• I read between the lines and knew something was wrong.
• You have to read between the lines to get it.
Other ways to say: Guess, figure out
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea of hidden words in a text.
Usage: Used when someone figures out a secret from clues.
28. Keep something to your chest
Meaning: Keep it very secret
Example Sentence:
• He kept his plan to his chest.
• She’s keeping it close to her chest.
Other ways to say: Be private, not tell
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from card games.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t share plans or thoughts.
29. The walls have ears
Meaning: Someone might be listening
Example Sentence:
• Don’t talk here—the walls have ears.
• Whisper, the walls have ears.
Other ways to say: Be careful, someone might hear
Fun Fact/Origin: Used long ago when spies listened behind walls.
Usage: Used when it’s not safe to talk freely.
30. Top secret
Meaning: Very secret, not for everyone
Example Sentence:
• The mission was top secret.
• That’s top secret info.
Other ways to say: Very private, not to be shared
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in the military for private files.
Usage: Used when something is meant for only a few people.
31. In on it
Meaning: Part of a secret plan
Example Sentence:
• Were you in on it?
• She was in on the surprise.
Other ways to say: Included, part of the plan
Fun Fact/Origin: “On it” means involved.
Usage: Used when someone knows or helps with a secret.
32. Zip your lips
Meaning: Don’t talk
Example Sentence:
• Zip your lips about the party.
• He zipped his lips when asked.
Other ways to say: Stay silent, don’t speak
Fun Fact/Origin: Picture of zipping your mouth closed.
Usage: Used when someone is asked not to tell.
33. Keep something in the dark
Meaning: Not tell someone
Example Sentence:
• They kept me in the dark about the plan.
• She was in the dark the whole time.
Other ways to say: Hide info, leave out
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dark” means not knowing.
Usage: Used when someone is left without information.
34. Tight-lipped
Meaning: Not talking
Example Sentence:
• He stayed tight-lipped all day.
• She was tight-lipped about the trip.
Other ways to say: Silent, not sharing
Fun Fact/Origin: A tight mouth shows no talking.
Usage: Used when someone keeps quiet on purpose.
35. Break a confidence
Meaning: Tell something that was supposed to be private
Example Sentence:
• She broke my confidence.
• He broke my confidence and told my secret.
Other ways to say: Betray trust, tell a private thing
Fun Fact/Origin: “Confidence” means trust; breaking it means breaking trust.
Usage: Used when someone tells something they promised not to.
Quiz: Idioms About Secrets
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “spill the beans” mean?
A) Drop your lunch
B) Tell a secret
C) Cook dinner
2. If someone “lets the cat out of the bag,” what have they done?
A) Set an animal free
B) Hidden a toy
C) Revealed a secret
3. What does it mean to “keep something under wraps”?
A) Wrap a present
B) Keep something secret
C) Tie a rope
4. If you’re “in the know,” you:
A) Are guessing
B) Have secret information
C) Are lost
5. What does “skeleton in the closet” mean?
A) A Halloween decoration
B) An old secret someone hides
C) A toy in a box
6. If someone says “mum’s the word,” what should you do?
A) Talk to your mom
B) Stay quiet
C) Sing a song
7. What does it mean to “drop a hint”?
A) Give a clue
B) Drop something
C) Say nothing
8. If a person is “tight-lipped,” they:
A) Talk too much
B) Smile a lot
C) Say nothing
9. If you hear “the walls have ears,” what should you do?
A) Speak loudly
B) Stop talking
C) Look for ears
10. What happens if someone “breaks a confidence”?
A) They keep a promise
B) They share a private secret
C) They build trust
Answer Key
- B) Tell a secret
- C) Revealed a secret
- B) Keep something secret
- B) Have secret information
- B) An old secret someone hides
- B) Stay quiet
- A) Give a clue
- C) Say nothing
- B) Stop talking
- B) They share a private secret
Wrapping Up
Idioms help us understand and talk about secrets in fun ways. We use them to hide things, share clues, or talk about keeping quiet. These phrases make stories and conversations more interesting. Now you know how to use them when talking about secrets. Try listening for them in movies or books. You might even use one in your next story!
