Significado
To not tell anyone information that is meant to be private.
Contexto cultural
In the US, keeping a secret is often linked to the concept of 'privacy,' which is a highly valued individual right. Secrets are often kept to maintain 'Wa' (harmony). Telling a secret might cause social friction. The phrase 'Mum's the word' is a common British idiom related to keeping secrets, dating back to Shakespeare. Keeping a secret is often a matter of family honor. Trust is built slowly through the sharing and keeping of secrets.
Use 'it'
You can say 'keep it a secret' to refer to a specific topic you just mentioned.
Don't say 'hold'
Even if your language uses 'hold,' English always uses 'keep.'
Significado
To not tell anyone information that is meant to be private.
Use 'it'
You can say 'keep it a secret' to refer to a specific topic you just mentioned.
Don't say 'hold'
Even if your language uses 'hold,' English always uses 'keep.'
Past Tense
Remember 'kept' is irregular. 'I kept the secret' is correct, not 'keeped'.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing verb in the correct form.
I promised my friend that I would ____ her secret.
We always 'keep' a secret in English.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the best sentence:
'Kept' is the past tense of 'keep,' which is the correct verb for secrets.
Complete the dialogue.
A: I have some big news! B: Tell me! A: Only if you can ____.
The full idiom 'keep a secret' is needed here.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosI promised my friend that I would ____ her secret.
We always 'keep' a secret in English.
Choose the best sentence:
'Kept' is the past tense of 'keep,' which is the correct verb for secrets.
A: I have some big news! B: Tell me! A: Only if you can ____.
The full idiom 'keep a secret' is needed here.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasYes, if you are talking about a specific secret that you and the listener already know about.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
The most common opposite is 'to tell a secret' or the idiom 'to spill the beans.'
Yes, you can say 'We all kept the secret.'
Frases relacionadas
my lips are sealed
synonymI promise not to say anything.
spill the beans
contrastTo reveal a secret.
keep it under wraps
similarTo keep something hidden or secret.
let the cat out of the bag
contrastTo accidentally reveal a secret.
