keep under wraps

Meaning

This expression means to keep something secret or private, often because it is not ready to be revealed to the public. It is commonly used when talking about new projects, surprise parties, or confidential plans. The tone is casual and conversational.

Examples

• We need to keep the new product design under wraps until the launch next month.

  We need to keep the new product design under wraps until the launch next month.

• They kept their engagement under wraps for weeks before telling their families.

  They kept their engagement under wraps for weeks before telling their families.

• The studio is keeping the plot of the upcoming movie strictly under wraps.

  The studio is keeping the plot of the upcoming movie strictly under wraps.

• I wanted to keep the party under wraps, but someone accidentally leaked the invite list.

  I wanted to keep the party under wraps, but someone accidentally leaked the invite list.

• Let's keep this under wraps for now so we don't cause any unnecessary panic.

  Let's keep this under wraps for now so we don't cause any unnecessary panic.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We must keep the secret under the wraps.

  ✓ We must keep the secret under wraps.

  The idiom is 'under wraps' without the definite article 'the'.

• ✗ She kept her plans below wraps.

  ✓ She kept her plans under wraps.

  The correct preposition is 'under,' not 'below' or 'beneath'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The company is trying to keep its latest AI project ___ until the conference.

  💡 secret or confidential

  Show answer

  under wraps

• We should keep the surprise party ___ so she doesn't find out.

  💡 hidden from others

  Show answer

  under wraps