in secret

Học thuật
Thân thiện
in secret

The children arranged to meet in secret behind the old oak tree.

Definition
  1. Adverb:
    • In a secret manner; not openly or publicly: Done in a way that is hidden from the knowledge or view of others.
    • With secrecy; privately: Conducted so as to avoid being noticed or discovered.
Usage
  • Adverb: Used to modify a verb, describing that the action is performed in a concealed or private way.
    • The two leaders met in secret to negotiate the treaty.
    • She kept a diary in secret, hiding it under her mattress.
Advanced Usage
  • "To do something in secret": A common collocation emphasizing the clandestine nature of an action.
    • The society operated in secret for decades before being discovered.
  • "To live in secret": To maintain a life or identity hidden from public view.
    • The spy lived in secret in a foreign country for years.
Variants and Related Words
  • Secretly (adv): In a secret manner. (Often used interchangeably with "in secret," though "in secret" can sound slightly more formal or deliberate.)
    • He secretly admired her work.
  • Covertly (adv): In a way that is not openly acknowledged or displayed; secretly.
    • The agent communicated covertly with his handlers.
  • Clandestinely (adv): Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
    • They met clandestinely in a safe house.
Synonyms
  • Privately
  • Confidentially
  • Surreptitiously
  • Furtively
  • On the sly (idiomatic)
Related Phrases
  • Behind closed doors: In private, away from public scrutiny.
    • The decision was made behind closed doors.
  • Under the table/radar: Done secretly, especially to avoid rules or detection.
    • Payments were made under the table.
Related Idioms
  • In the dark: Kept uninformed or unaware.
    • The employees were kept in the dark about the company's financial troubles. (This relates to the state of not knowing a secret.)
  • A skeleton in the closet: A shameful or embarrassing secret.
    • Every family has a skeleton in the closet. (This refers to the secret itself, not the manner of keeping it.)
in secret

The children arranged to meet in secret behind the old oak tree.

Adverb
  1. in secrecy; not openly
    • met secretly to discuss the invasion plans
    • the children secretly went to the movies when they were supposed to be at the library
    • they arranged to meet in secret

Từ đồng nghĩa