best-kept secret
A certain aspect, fact, location, or activity, usually touristic or commercial in nature, that is or purports to be not well known to the public but deserving of praise or attention. The newspaper called the restaurant the city's best-kept secret. While everyone wants to visit the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula is really one of Ireland's best-kept secrets.
keep out of sight
To remain unseen, as by hiding or evasion. The thief kept out of sight while the police searched the nearby neighborhoods. The enemy troops are approaching. Keep out of sight until they're within striking distance.
keep schtum
To remain silent; to not say anything. (Used especially when by saying something, especially at the wrong time, one would cause trouble or difficulty for him- or herself.) Primarily heard in UK. It's better to just keep schtum when the boss starts flinging accusations than risk further incensing him.
be kept in the loop
To be kept informed about and/or involved in something, such as a plan or project, especially that which involves or pertains to a specific group. We've hired a new intern to help you with the data entry portion of the study, so be sure she's kept in the loop.
keep (someone) on ice
1. To postpone or delay acting on or interacting with a person. I know that journalist has been persistent in getting a comment from us for his story, but we'll just have to keep him on ice until the trial is over.
2. To detain or confine a person in isolation, especially before or during the course of interrogation or torture. The group kept their prisoner on ice for nearly a week before beginning their interrogation. We're keeping the snitch on ice until the boss decides what to do with him.
be kept in the dark (about something)
To be kept uninformed (about something); to be excluded from full knowledge or disclosure (of something). The president was kept in the dark about the CIA's assassination attempt so that if things went sour and came to public light, she could claim plausible deniability. I don't fully trust John to keep our plan a secret, so I think it best that he be kept in the dark for now.
keep (something) on the hush
To keep something in a state of secrecy or minimal public knowledge; to allow something to be known only by a select few people. I need to tell you something, but you have to keep it on the hush, OK? I just found out John and Tracey are getting married soon, but I have to keep the news on the hush!
keep (something) on the hush-hush
To keep something in a state of secrecy or minimal public knowledge; to allow something to be known only by a select few people. I need to tell you something, but you have to keep it on the hush-hush, OK? I just found out John and Tracey are getting married soon, but I have to keep the news on the hush-hush!
keep (someone) in the picture
To keep someone informed or up to date (about something); to keep someone involved in or aware of what is going on. Just make sure you keep the boss in the picture about the status of the project. I want to be kept in the picture when those stolen goods are sold. Don't cut me out of the profit!
keep (someone) on a short leash
To maintain strict or tight control over someone; to not allow someone very much independence or autonomy. Ever since George nearly lost his life savings in a drunken poker match, his husband started keeping him on a short leash. The boss has kept her assistant on a short leash ever since she hired her.
be kept on a tight leash
To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been kept on a tight leash by his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they've been kept on a tight leash ever since that new manager took over.
be kept on a short leash
To be strictly controlled (by someone); to not be allowed very much independence or autonomy. George has been kept on a short leash by his husband ever since he gambled away their life savings at a poker match. Everyone feels like they've been kept on a short leash ever since that new manager took over.
a promise made is a promise kept
When one makes a promise, it should be done with the intention of following through. I said I would help you, and I will—because, as far as I'm concerned, a promise made is a promise kept.
keep a weather eye open
An instruction to monitor someone or something, often because the person or thing in question may turn out to be dangerous. I think Tom's a thief, so keep a weather eye open around him. I'd keep a weather eye open with this storm that's brewing—we may have to evacuate.
keep an eye open
Watch for something carefully; be attentive to something. I'm turning onto your street now, so keep an eye open. Please keep an eye open for any information pertaining to this case.
keep one jump ahead
To gain an advantageous position (over another person or an impending occurrence) by being proactive. I'm studying hard to keep one jump ahead of Christine, who is my main competition for valedictorian. I'm going to leave early and take the side streets so I can keep one jump ahead of the traffic.
keep (one) on (one's) toes
To force someone to stay active, alert, and focused on something or someone. Having two kids under age five sure keeps me on my toes!
keep (one's) head below the parapet
To hide or remain inconspicuous in an attempt to avoid trouble or danger. I wouldn't say anything right now—just keep your head below the parapet for the time being.
keep (one) dangling
To maintain some form of relationship with someone without revealing one's true feelings or intentions; to keep someone in an uncertain position. If you don't want to marry him, then you have to tell him that—you can't keep him dangling any longer! A: "I'm never going to get a promotion, am I?" B: "With the way the boss keeps you dangling, I doubt it."
keep under cover
1. Literally, to stay beneath a shelter of some kind, typically to avoid inclement weather. A: "How did you stay so dry in this downpour?" B: "I've been keeping under cover here, like we were supposed to!"
2. To hide something (often one's true identity or motives) from others. I need to keep under cover on this assignment so no one learns that I'm a spy.
kept man
A man who does not work and receives money and provisions from his romantic partner. For years, Stella has had a much younger kept man that she brings to all the big events in the city.
kept woman
A woman who does not work and receives money and provisions from her romantic partner. She never had any desire to be a kept woman so she worked hard to pursue her career.