Mum’s the word.
This idiom or expression like sentence means:
Keep quiet.
Keep it a secret.
A. I’m gonna tell you something, but mum’s the word!
B. I understand, I’ll keep it to myself.
Also, it can be used to mean: I’ll keep it a secret.
A. I’m gonna tell you something, but please keep it to yourself!
B. Okay. Mum’s the word!
Spill the beans.
This idiom or expression has to do with:
Revealing a secret.
Giving away a surprise.
A. The birthday party was supposed to be a surprise. Who spilled the beans?
B. Your wife, boss! With all due respect, boss, you know how women are!
A. Yes I do, and here’s another surprise: You’re fired for spilling the beans about her!
Under the hat.
This idiom or expression means:
Secret.
When someone says “Keep it under your hat,” they mean something like:
Do it quietly.
Keep it a secret.
Keep it to yourself.
Don’t tell anybody about it. Etc.
Open secret.
This idiom or expression like phrase means:
A secret that everyone is aware of.
It’s supposed to be a secret, but not really.
The candidate’s infidelity was an open secret among his staffers.
Become public.
This idiom or expression has to do with:
Not being a secret any more.
Everybody knowing about the issue.
Her money problems have become public and now everybody knows that she was in jail for stealing.
Also:
Out in the open.
Public knowledge.
Skeleton in one’s closet.
This idiom or expression means:
Terrible secrets.
Bad things from one’s past that are hidden.
A. I don’t like it when they ask you all those questions in an interview.
B. Why, are you hiding some skeletons in your closet I should know about?
Close to the vest.
This idiom or expression means:
Guarded.
Closely held secret.
A. Can I trust you with a secret?
B. Sure, I’ll keep it close to the vest.
Also:
Playing cards close to the vest.
