under the rose
In secret; secretly, privately.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They made the deal under the rose.”
“The employees discussed the new company policy under the rose to avoid trouble with their manager.”
“The conspirators met under the rose to finalize their plans, ensuring that not a single word of their intentions reached the ears of the authorities.”
Calque of Latin sub rosā.
- 01
bed of roses
A pleasant or easy situation; an untroubled existence.
- 02
bloom is off the rose
The person, object, or situation identified in the context has lost its novelty, freshness, appeal, or acceptability.
- 03
come up roses
To enter into a condition or situation which is favorable; to develop in a pleasing or advantageous manner.
- 04
moonlight and roses
A very pleasant, sentimental, or romantic situation or atmosphere.
- 05
rose garden
A highly desirable situation.
- 06
run for the roses
A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.
- 07
smell like a rose
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
- 08
stem the rose
To have anal sex; to insert one's penis (stem) into another's anus (rose).
Last updated August 10, 2026