keep shtum
Not tell anyone; especially, keep silent about something that may be sensitive or secret.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Please keep shtum about the surprise party.”
“The boss told us to keep shtum about the new project until the official announcement next week.”
“Despite the intense pressure from the investigators, the witness decided to keep shtum to protect his family from potential retaliation.”
- 01
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 02
earn one's keep
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
- 03
gift that keeps on giving
Something with continuous (typically positive) consequences.
- 04
keep a civil tongue in one's head
To maintain a polite manner of speaking.
- 05
keep a close watch
to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
- 06
keep a cool head
To keep one's cool; to stay calm.
- 07
keep a lid on
To keep something secret.
- 08
keep a low profile
To be discreet and quiet.
Last updated August 10, 2026