24 Idioms and Expressions to talk about SECRETS in English

How to talk about SECRETS in English 24 Idioms and Expressions to sound like a native speaker!

Explanation + Practice

Expressions About Secrets

Your secret is safe with me.
- Positive: You can trust me to keep your secret.
  Example: “If you tell me your secret about the surprise party, your secret is safe with me.”
- Negative: You don’t trust me, so you hesitate to share.
  Example: “I’m not sure if I should tell you. I don’t know if my secret is safe with you.”

I can keep quiet.
- Positive: I assure you that I won’t say anything.
  Example: “Don’t worry; I can keep quiet about your plans.”
- Negative: I might struggle to stay silent, implying you can’t rely on me.
  Example: “I wish I could keep quiet, but you know I have a big mouth!”

I promise not to tell anyone.
- Positive: You can believe in my promise to keep it a secret.
  Example: “I promise not to tell anyone about your new job.”
- Negative: You doubt my ability to keep my promise.
  Example: “I’m not sure if I can trust you to keep your promise.”

My lips are sealed.
- Positive: I guarantee I won’t speak about it.
  Example: “Don’t worry; my lips are sealed regarding your secret.”
- Negative: There’s a risk of me breaking the silence.
  Example: “I’m worried my lips won’t stay sealed; I might accidentally say something!”

I have a big mouth.
- Positive: I admit that I can accidentally share secrets.
  Example: “Be careful; I have a big mouth, so don’t tell me anything confidential!”
- Negative: I can’t be trusted to keep secrets.
  Example: “I have a big mouth, so I might let your secret slip.”

I will keep this to myself.
- Positive: I assure you that I won’t share the information.
  Example: “I will keep this to myself; you can trust me.”
- Negative: I may be tempted to share it with others.
  Example: “I want to keep this to myself, but it’s so hard not to tell anyone!”

I won’t tell a (living) soul.
- Positive: I will keep it completely private.
  Example: “I won’t tell a living soul about your secret.”
- Negative: You feel unsure about my ability to keep it private.
  Example: “I’m not sure if I can trust you; I’ve heard you can’t keep a secret!”

I won’t let it slip.
- Positive: I’m confident I can keep the secret safe.
  Example: “I promise I won’t let it slip; your secret is secure with me.”
- Negative: There’s a risk I might accidentally reveal the secret.
  Example: “I hope I don’t let it slip; I’m nervous about keeping this secret.”

I can keep this under wraps.
- Positive: I can protect the information from being shared.
  Example: “I can keep this under wraps until the announcement.”
- Negative: I may find it difficult to keep it hidden.
  Example: “I can keep this under wraps, but it’s really hard for me!”

Mum’s the word.
- Positive: I will stay silent about the topic.
  Example: “Mum’s the word; I won’t say anything about your surprise.”
- Negative: You may be unsure about my ability to stay silent.
  Example: “I hope mum’s the word for you, but you’re known for gossiping!”

I won’t let the cat out of the bag.
- Positive: I won’t accidentally reveal the secret.
  Example: “I won’t let the cat out of the bag; your surprise party is safe.”
- Negative: I might accidentally reveal the secret.
  Example: “I’m worried I might let the cat out of the bag during the discussion.”

I’ll keep it under my hat.
- Positive: I will keep the information private.
  Example: “I’ll keep it under my hat until you’re ready to share.”
- Negative: You may not trust me to keep it private.
  Example: “I’d like to keep it under my hat, but I’m not sure I can.”

I won’t spill the beans.
- Positive: I’ll make sure not to reveal anything.
  Example: “You can trust me; I won’t spill the beans about your plans.”
- Negative: I might accidentally share the secret.
  Example: “I’ll try not to spill the beans, but I can’t guarantee it.”

I will keep this private.
- Positive: I assure you I will not share it with anyone.
  Example: “I will keep this private; you have my word.”
- Negative: You might feel uncertain about my discretion.
  Example: “I want to keep this private, but I’m nervous about sharing it with you.”

I’ll keep it in the vault.
- Positive: I will keep it safe and secure.
  Example: “I’ll keep it in the vault; you can trust me with your secret.”
- Negative: You may worry that I might not keep it safe.
  Example: “I’d like to keep it in the vault, but I don’t know if I can.”

I won’t blab.
- Positive: I assure you that I will not gossip about it.
  Example: “You can trust me; I won’t blab about your secret.”
- Negative: You might doubt my ability to keep quiet.
  Example: “I’m scared you might blab, so I won’t tell you my secret.”

I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.
- Positive: I promise to keep it a secret.
  Example: “I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone; your secret is safe.”
- Negative: You may worry about my ability to keep it secret.
  Example: “I hope you won’t breathe a word, but I’ve heard you talk!”

I won’t say a thing.
- Positive: I will keep silent about the information.
  Example: “I won’t say a thing; you can trust me.”
- Negative: There’s a risk I might reveal it.
  Example: “I don’t know if I can promise I won’t say a thing; I’m too excited!”

I can hold my tongue.
- Positive: I can stay quiet about it.
  Example: “I can hold my tongue; I won’t share your secret.”
- Negative: I might struggle to stay silent.
  Example: “I can hold my tongue, but it’s really hard when it’s so exciting!”

It’s off the record.
- Positive: You can trust me that it’s confidential.
  Example: “Just so you know, it’s off the record; I won’t share it.”
- Negative: There’s a risk someone might still hear it.
  Example: “I hope it’s off the record, but I can’t guarantee it won’t get out.”

I’ll take it to my grave.
- Positive: I will never share this secret with anyone.
  Example: “I’ll take it to my grave; I promise.”
- Negative: You might feel anxious about trusting someone.
  Example: “I’m not sure if you’ll take it to your grave; can I trust you?”

I can keep my mouth shut.
- Positive: I assure you I will remain silent.
  Example: “You can tell me; I can keep my mouth shut.”
- Negative: I might struggle to stay quiet.
  Example: “I can keep my mouth shut, but it might be difficult!”

It’s just between you and me.
- Positive: I promise to keep the information private.
  Example: “Don’t worry; it’s just between you and me.”
- Negative: You might be unsure if I will keep it private.
  Example: “I want it to be just between you and me, but I’m not sure if I can trust you.”

These examples illustrate the positive assurances and the negative doubts that can accompany each expression about keeping secrets. Let me know if you need any more help!

Extra Practice

Quiz: Expressions About Secrets

1. Your friend just told you a secret and wants to know if they can trust you. What do you say?
a) “Your secret is safe with me.”
b) “Your secret is safe with I.”
c) “Your secret is safe with myself.”

2. Someone confides in you about a personal issue and you want to assure them you won’t say a word. What do you say?
a) “My lips are sealed.”
b) “My lip is sealed.”
c) “My lips are sealing.”

3. After hearing a confidential conversation, you want to reassure the person involved that you will keep it quiet. What do you say?
a) “I can keep this under wraps.”
b) “I can keep under wraps for you.”
c) “I can keep it under wrap.”

4. A friend shares a surprise and worries about someone else finding out. How do you reassure them?
a) “I won’t let the cat out of the bag.”
b) “I won’t let the cats out of the bag.”
c) “I won’t let the cat out of bags.”

5. You overhear a colleague’s secret plan and want to emphasize your discretion. What do you say?
a) “I’ll keep this private.”
b) “I’ll keep it between us.”
c) “I’ll keep this private.”

6. Your friend confides in you about a personal matter. What can you say to show you’ll keep it safe?
a) “I can hold my tongue.”
b) “I can hold my tongue back.”
c) “I can hold my tongue tightly.”

7. After someone shares a secret with you, you want to promise not to tell anyone else. What do you say?
a) “I won’t tell a soul.”
b) “I won’t tell no soul.”
c) “I won’t tell the soul.”

8. You hear a secret that you feel tempted to share but want to assure the person that you won’t. What do you say?
a) “I can keep my mouth shut.”
b) “I can keep my mouth closed.”
c) “I can keep my mouth quiet.”

9. Your friend shares their secret ambitions with you. How do you respond to reassure them of your confidentiality?
a) “I promise not to tell anyone.”
b) “I promise not to tell no one.”
c) “I promise not to tell someone.”

10. You learn something confidential at work, and you want to make sure you don’t spill any details. What do you say?
a) “I won’t spill the beans.”
b) “I won’t spill no beans.”
c) “I won’t spill any beans.”

11. After hearing a friend’s secret, you want to assure them you won’t talk about it to anyone else. What do you say?
a) “I’ll take it to my grave.”
b) “I will take it to my grave.”
c) “I’ll take it to graves.”

12. A colleague reveals a secret project, and you want to express your commitment to keep it confidential. What do you say?
a) “I won’t let this out.”
b) “I won’t let it out.”
c) “I won’t let it slip out.”

13. A friend confesses a worry, and you want to let them know you will keep it to yourself. What do you say?
a) “I’ll keep it to myself.”
b) “I keep it to myself.”
c) “I’ll keep this to myself.”

14. After someone shares a worry with you, you want to let them know that you’ll keep it confidential. What do you say?
a) “It’s off the record.”
b) “It’s off record.”
c) “It’s off the records.”

15. You want to reassure someone that you can keep a secret they just told you. What do you say?
a) “I can keep this under my hat.”
b) “I will keep this under my hat.”
c) “I keep this under my hat.”

16. You just learned about a friend’s personal issue. How do you express that it won’t leave your lips?
a) “My lips are sealed.”
b) “My lip is sealed.”
c) “My lips seal.”

17. A friend has just confided in you about a personal matter. What do you say to reassure them?
a) “I won’t let it slip.”
b) “I won’t let it slip out.”
c) “I can’t let it slip.”

18. Your friend tells you something they fear others will misuse. How do you reassure them?
a) “I can keep it under wraps.”
b) “I will keep it under wraps.”
c) “I keep it under wraps.”

19. You promise not to share your friend’s secret with anyone. What do you say?
a) “I won’t tell a living soul.”
b) “I won’t tell any living soul.”
c) “I won’t tell living soul.”

20. You overheard something that wasn’t meant for your ears. How do you reassure the person involved?
a) “I won’t blab.”
b) “I won’t blab to anyone.”
c) “I won’t blab at all.”

21. You overhear a sensitive discussion at work and want to make sure no one else knows. What do you say?
a) “I can keep this a secret.”
b) “I will keep this a secret.”
c) “I keep this secret.”

22. You hear something you shouldn’t, and you want to let the person know you won’t share it. What do you say?
a) “I won’t breathe a word of it.”
b) “I won’t breathe no word of it.”
c) “I won’t breathe a word.”

23. Your friend shares something with you and asks if you can keep it quiet. What do you say?
a) “I won’t spill the beans.”
b) “I won’t spill beans.”
c) “I won’t spill no beans.”

Answer Key:

a) “Your secret is safe with me.”
a) “My lips are sealed.”
a) “I can keep this under wraps.”
a) “I won’t let the cat out of the bag.”
a) “I’ll keep this private.”
a) “I can hold my tongue.”
a) “I won’t tell a soul.”
a) “I can keep my mouth shut.”
a) “I promise not to tell anyone.”
c) “I won’t spill any beans.”
a) “I’ll take it to my grave.”
b) “I won’t let it out.”
a) “I’ll keep it to myself.”
a) “It’s off the record.”
a) “I can keep this under my hat.”
a) “My lips are sealed.”
a) “I won’t let it slip.”
a) “I can keep it under wraps.”
a) “I won’t tell a living soul.”
a) “I won’t blab.”
a) “I can keep this a secret.”
a) “I won’t breathe a word of it.”
a) “I won’t spill the beans.”