English Reference
Idiom idiom

know where the bodies are buried


To possess confidential and incriminating information about a person's or organization's misdeeds or other secrets.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He keeps his job because he knows where the bodies are buried.

CONTEXTUAL

The assistant is very powerful in the office because she knows where the bodies are buried.

COMPLEX

Despite his obvious incompetence, the manager remains in his position, as he knows where the bodies are buried regarding the company's past financial scandals.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  2. 02

    as you know

    as it is already known.

  3. 03

    body blow

    A serious setback; a traumatizing event which prevents or hinders continuation of an activity.

  4. 04

    body English

    A body motion made to coax an object already propelled to go in a desired direction.

  5. 05

    buried treasure

    Something valuable that is concealed for a long time and then rediscovered.

  6. 06

    bury one's head in the sand

    To deliberately ignore the reality of a situation; to pretend a problem does not exist.

  7. 07

    bury the hatchet

    To cease fighting or arguing; to reach an agreement, or at least a truce.

  8. 08

    bury the lede

    To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.

Last updated August 10, 2026