# under the rose

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/under-the-rose
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

In secret; secretly, privately.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

Calque of Latin sub rosā.

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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.