hide a secret

Meaning

This phrase means to intentionally keep information hidden or private from others, often because it is sensitive, embarrassing, or confidential. While 'keep a secret' is more common, 'hide a secret' emphasizes the active effort to conceal something.

Examples

• It is very difficult to hide a secret from your best friend for a long time.

  It is very difficult to hide a secret from your best friend for a long time.

• She was trying to hide a secret, but her nervous behavior gave it away.

  She was trying to hide a secret, but her nervous behavior gave it away.

• You don't have to hide a secret from me; you can trust me completely.

  You don't have to hide a secret from me; you can trust me completely.

• He felt guilty trying to hide a secret from his parents about his grades.

  He felt guilty trying to hide a secret from his parents about his grades.

• They managed to hide a secret about the surprise party until the very last minute.

  They managed to hide a secret about the surprise party until the very last minute.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She is hiding a secret to her husband.

  ✓ She is hiding a secret from her husband.

  We hide secrets 'from' someone, not 'to' someone.

• ✗ He did a secret from everyone.

  ✓ He hid a secret from everyone.

  We do not use the verb 'do' with secrets. We 'keep', 'hide', or 'have' a secret.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's hard to ___ when everyone is asking you direct questions.

  💡 keep information concealed

  Show answer

  hide a secret

• Why did you try to ___ from me?

  💡 keep something confidential or private

  Show answer

  hide a secret