be kept in the dark
idiom.idiom. to not be told about something important that other people know about.
idiom. to be intentionally excluded from receiving information or knowledge regarding a specific situation. Usually used in the passive voice to emphasize the state of ignorance imposed by others.
I was kept in the dark about the company's secret plans.
The employees were kept in the dark regarding the upcoming merger until the official announcement was made on Friday.
Despite her senior position, the director was kept in the dark about the internal investigation until the final report was leaked to the press.
almost always used in the passive voice with 'be' or 'get'; the source of the secrecy is often introduced with 'by'.
contrast with 'to keep someone in the dark' (active) to show how the subject changes; use the metaphor of physical darkness preventing one from 'seeing' the truth.
They kept me in dark about the news.They kept me in the dark about the news.the phrase is a fixed idiom and requires the definite article 'the' before 'dark'.
Last updated July 26, 2026