keep one's cards close to one's chest
English Meaning & Definitions
To be secretive or cautious about one's intentions, plans, or feelings in order to prevent others from knowing what one is thinking or planning.
- “The CEO kept her cards close to her chest regarding the upcoming merger until the very last minute.”
- “He is a very private person who prefers to keep his cards close to his chest during business negotiations.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “keep one's cards close to one's chest”.
The idiom originates from 19th-century card games, particularly poker. In these games, a player holds their hand of cards close to their chest to prevent opponents from seeing their cards (the 'hand'), thereby concealing the strength of their position and preventing others from anticipating their next move.
Imagine a poker player clutching their cards tightly against their shirt so no one can peek at their winning hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About “keep one's cards close to one's chest”
1. What is the meaning of “keep one's cards close to one's chest” in English?
In English, keep one's cards close to one's chest (idiom) is defined as: “To be secretive or cautious about one's intentions, plans, or feelings in order to prevent others from knowing what one is thinking or planning.”.
2. How do you use “keep one's cards close to one's chest” in a sentence?
“The CEO kept her cards close to her chest regarding the upcoming merger until the very last minute.”
3. What are English synonyms of “keep one's cards close to one's chest”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “keep one's cards close to one's chest”?
The idiom originates from 19th-century card games, particularly poker. In these games, a player holds their hand of cards close to their chest to prevent opponents from seeing their cards (the 'hand'), thereby concealing the strength of their position and preventing others from anticipating their next move.
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