secretly
In a way that other people do not know about or cannot see.
In a manner intended to be hidden from the knowledge or view of others.
- Base: secretly
- Plural: secretlies
keep it under wraps
1keep something hidden temporarily
To not tell people about something until the right time.
- We're keeping the new product under wraps until next month.
- She kept her travel plans under wraps.
keep something secret
1not tell others about something
To not tell other people about something.
- She managed to keep the plan secret until the big day.
- He kept the news secret from his family.
hush-hush
1kept very secret
Secret and not talked about openly; only a few people are allowed to know about it.
- The project is still very hush-hush, so we can't say much.
- He was invited to a hush-hush meeting with the top executives.
- Everything about the deal was kept hush-hush until it was signed.
hush-hush
2kept secret or confidential
Something meant to be kept secret.
- The project is still hush-hush for now.
- It was all very hush-hush until the official announcement.
in secret
1Do something without others knowing
To do something so that other people do not know about it.
- They met in secret to discuss the plan.
- He worked in secret on his invention.
in secret
2hidden from others
Done so that other people do not know about it.
- They met in secret to discuss the deal.
- The two friends worked in secret on their project.
behind closed doors
1with no outsiders present
in a private place, with no people from outside watching or listening
- The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- Important negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- The key decisions were made behind closed doors.
- They prefer to discuss family matters behind closed doors.
- They always argue behind closed doors.
- They like to keep their negotiations behind closed doors.
- A lot of bullying happens behind closed doors, where teachers cannot see it.
behind closed doors
2In private, secretly
In secret, where other people cannot see or know what happens.
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They discussed the matter behind closed doors.
behind closed doors
3In private, secretly
Happening in private, where people cannot see or know about it.
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They met behind closed doors to discuss the plan.