# keep shtum

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/keep-shtum
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Not tell anyone; especially, keep silent about something that may be sensitive or secret.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.