secrecy
state of being kept secret
The state of keeping information hidden from most people, so only a few people know it.
[secrecy] about [something]
- The details of the peace talks were kept in strict secrecy to avoid media pressure.
- The company developed the new product in complete secrecy to stay ahead of its competitors.
- Voters are angry about the government’s secrecy over the surveillance program.
- The negotiations were shrouded in secrecy, and even senior staff were excluded.
- Because of the need for secrecy, only three people knew the full plan.
- The police worked in secrecy to catch the criminal.
- They planned the surprise party in complete secrecy.
- The company kept the new design in secrecy until it was ready.
- There was a lot of secrecy about the talks with the other team.
- People were worried about the government’s secrecy about the new law.
tendency to hide information
A way of acting where someone or a group often hides information or feelings from other people.
[secrecy] about [someone/something]
- Her secrecy about her personal life made her colleagues curious and sometimes suspicious.
- The company’s culture of secrecy discouraged employees from raising problems openly.
- He was criticized for his secrecy and lack of consultation with the rest of the team.
- Their constant secrecy damaged trust within the family.
- Over time, his secrecy about money issues led to serious conflicts with his partner.
- His secrecy about his plans made his friends worry.
- I don’t like the secrecy in this office.
- Their secrecy about money caused problems in the relationship.
- Her secrecy makes it hard to be close to her.
- The team complained about the manager’s secrecy and lack of clear information.
- Base: secrecy
- Plural: secrecy
cloak of secrecy
1protective cover of hidden information
A way of working that hides information and makes it hard for people to know what is really happening.
- The investigation has been conducted under a cloak of secrecy.
- They used a cloak of secrecy to avoid public criticism.
- The cloak of secrecy around the deal has raised serious concerns.
cloak of secrecy
1secrecy that hides details
A situation where everything is kept secret.
- The negotiations were conducted under a cloak of secrecy.
- A cloak of secrecy still surrounds the deal.
- They tried to maintain a cloak of secrecy about the project.
code of secrecy
1rules requiring people to keep quiet
A set of rules, written or unwritten, that tells people they must not talk about certain things.
- The company has a strict code of secrecy about client data.
- There seems to be a code of secrecy among the members of the group.
- Doctors follow a professional code of secrecy regarding patient records.
culture of secrecy
1group habit of hiding information
A general way of behaving in an organization or group where people often hide information instead of sharing it.
- A culture of secrecy in the agency has allowed mistakes to go unreported.
- The report blames the bank’s culture of secrecy for the scandal.
- Journalists say the government has developed a dangerous culture of secrecy.
in secrecy
1do something so others do not know
To do something so that other people do not know about it, because you hide it from them.
- The two companies met in secrecy to discuss a possible merger.
- The law was written in secrecy and then suddenly introduced to parliament.
- They worked in secrecy for months before announcing the project.
maintain secrecy
1continue to keep something secret
To keep information hidden and make sure it does not become known to others.
- Security staff were required to maintain secrecy about the test results.
- They signed agreements to maintain secrecy during the project.
- Strict rules were introduced to maintain secrecy around the negotiations.
shroud in secrecy
1make something very secretive
To make something very secret by hiding most details from the public or from other people.
- The committee shrouded the selection process in secrecy.
- They tried to shroud the financial deal in secrecy.
- The project was shrouded in secrecy from the very beginning.
shrouded in secrecy
1almost nothing publicly known
Used when almost no information is known about something because people are carefully keeping it secret.
- The early life of the leader is shrouded in secrecy.
- The exact cost of the project remains shrouded in secrecy.
- For years, the program’s true purpose was shrouded in secrecy.
strict secrecy
1very strong level of secrecy
A situation where information is kept very carefully hidden, with strong rules to stop people from talking about it.
- The ceremony was planned in strict secrecy.
- All staff had to agree to strict secrecy about the experiment.
- The talks were held in strict secrecy to avoid leaks.
under a veil of secrecy
1happening while kept secret
Happening while information about it is hidden from most people.
- The contract was negotiated under a veil of secrecy.
- The new policy was developed under a veil of secrecy, without public input.
- The sale of the company took place under a veil of secrecy.
veil of secrecy
1Complete secrecy around something
A situation where information is kept completely secret.
- The project was carried out under a veil of secrecy.
- Negotiations continued behind a veil of secrecy.
veil of secrecy
2layer that hides full facts
A way of hiding the truth so that people cannot see or understand everything that is happening.
- The veil of secrecy surrounding the trial was finally lifted.
- Journalists tried to break through the veil of secrecy around the talks.
- A thick veil of secrecy still covers the organization’s finances.