Keep things under wraps
Meaning
To maintain secrecy about something, preventing it from being revealed or publicly known.
Origin
Imagine a precious or delicate object, perhaps a new invention or a valuable gift. Before its grand reveal, it would be carefully covered, swaddled in protective 'wraps'—layers of cloth or paper—to shield it from prying eyes and eager hands. This physical act of concealing and protecting something important until the opportune moment gave birth to the idiom. By keeping 'things under wraps,' we metaphorically maintain secrecy, guarding information as carefully as a craftsman protects his masterpiece or a merchant secures his rarest wares, ensuring its contents are known only when and how we choose.
Examples
- The company managed to keep their new product launch under wraps until the official press conference.
- She asked her friends to keep the details of the surprise party under wraps so her sister wouldn't suspect anything.