Keep it close to your chest
Meaning
To keep information, plans, or intentions secret and private, not revealing them to others.
Origin
This phrase conjures a vivid image directly from the intense world of card games. Picture a poker player, meticulously holding a valuable hand, pressing their cards tightly against their chest. Every subtle movement is designed to prevent any opponent from catching even a fleeting glimpse of their strategy or the powerful hand they possess. This physical act of safeguarding one's cards, crucial for winning, naturally evolved into a potent metaphor for guarding secrets and intentions. It’s a direct translation of that strategic, high-stakes concealment from the card table into our everyday language, emphasizing the importance of discretion.
Examples
- The manager decided to keep the details of the new project close to his chest until all the team members were on board.
- If you want to surprise them with your grand announcement, you'll need to keep it close to your chest for a while longer.