🎭 Playing It Close to the Chest: The Art of Keeping Secrets 🤫
Definition:
To play one’s cards close to one’s chest: To be secretive or cautious about revealing one’s plans or thoughts.
Related Terms & Phrases:
- Keeping under wraps: Maintaining secrecy about something.
- Holding your tongue: Resisting the urge to speak, especially revealing information.
- Lock and key: Ensuring something is securely hidden away from everyone.
- Keeping mum: Staying silent and not revealing information.
Antonyms:
- Spill the beans: Reveal a secret or disclose information.
- Let the cat out of the bag: Accidental or unintended revelation of a secret.
- Speak your mind: Openly sharing one’s thoughts and opinions.
Fun & Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I keep my secrets where no one can find them: in plain sight, camouflaged behind my poker face.” – Anon
- “If I seem to be telling you my plans, don’t believe them. They’re decoys.” – Justina Vaine-Lotte
Proverbs:
- “Even walls have ears” – Always be cautious of what you say; you never know who is listening.
- “Silence is golden” – Sometimes, not saying anything is more valuable than airing one’s thoughts.
References in Literature, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes often keeps his deductions to himself until the right moment.
- Music: “Secret” by Madonna. Lyrics center on someone keeping things hidden.
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling. A line reads, “… If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;…”—indicative of knowing more than one reveals.
- Movies: “Ocean’s Eleven” – Danny Ocean and his crew masterfully keeping their heist a secret from all but their inner circle.
Inspirational, Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Remember, in the grand game of life, playing your cards close to your chest might just keep you in the game longer. But never forget, a well-timed reveal can win the pot.
Happy Secret-Keeping! 👋 Elex Shouldnotbell
### Which phrase means “to keep something concealed”?
- [ ] Spill the beans
- [ ] Let the cat out of the bag
- [x] Play one’s cards close to one’s chest
- [ ] Speak your mind
> **Explanation:** "Play one’s cards close to one’s chest" means to keep one's thoughts and plans secretive or hidden.
### True or False: “Holding your tongue” means to reveal information.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Holding your tongue" means to stay silent and not reveal information.
### Which of these signifies accidental revelation?
- [x] Let the cat out of the bag
- [ ] Keeping mum
- [ ] Keeping under wraps
- [ ] Lock and key
> **Explanation:** "Let the cat out of the bag" means to accidentally or unintentionally reveal a secret.
