gatekeep information
/ˈɡeɪtkiːp ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
Meaning
To gatekeep information means to intentionally control, limit, or withhold access to knowledge, resources, or secrets to maintain a sense of superiority or exclusivity. This modern slang is widely used online to describe people who refuse to share where they bought something, how they achieved success, or niche hobbies.
Examples
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Please don't gatekeep information about that amazing coffee shop; tell me where it is!
Please don't gatekeep information about that amazing coffee shop; tell me where it is!
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Some experienced developers tend to gatekeep information from junior coders.
Some experienced developers tend to gatekeep information from junior coders.
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She loves to gatekeep information about her skincare routine so no one else can copy her.
She loves to gatekeep information about her skincare routine so no one else can copy her.
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We want to make this community open, so we don't gatekeep information here.
We want to make this community open, so we don't gatekeep information here.
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He is trying to gatekeep information about the job opening so he has less competition.
He is trying to gatekeep information about the job opening so he has less competition.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He is gatekeeping of information.
✓ He is gatekeeping information.
'Gatekeep' is a transitive verb. It acts directly on the noun 'information' without needing the preposition 'of'.
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✗ She kept the gate of information.
✓ She gatekept the information.
'Gatekeep' is a single compound verb (past tense: 'gatekept'). Translating it literally as 'keeping the gate' sounds archaic and does not carry the modern slang meaning.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Don't ___ about how you got that internship; help a friend out!
💡 Withhold helpful knowledge or tips from others.
Show answer
gatekeep information
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It's frustrating when influencers ___ about the products they actually use.
💡 Keep secrets about where to find or buy things.
Show answer
gatekeep information