Definition

Adjective phrase: - Kept secret; concealed from public knowledge: Used to describe information, plans, or activities that are deliberately hidden or not disclosed.

Usage

The phrase "under wraps" functions as a predicative adjective, typically following a form of the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were, kept, etc.). It describes the state of something being confidential. - It is used to emphasize that something is being actively and carefully concealed. - The phrase is often used in contexts involving plans, projects, information, or news.

Examples

• With the verb "to be":
  • The details of the new product are still under wraps until the official launch.
  • The celebrity's wedding plans were kept under wraps.
• With the verb "to keep":
  • The government is keeping the report under wraps for now.
  • We need to keep this proposal under wraps until the board meeting.

Advanced Usage

• "To keep something under wraps": This is the most common verb collocation, meaning to maintain secrecy about something.
  • The studio kept the film's surprise ending under wraps for months.
• "To be under wraps": Describes the state of secrecy.
  • The negotiations have been under wraps since they began.

Variants and Related Words

• Under wraps is an idiomatic phrase. There is no direct single-word variant, but the concept relates to other words and phrases concerning secrecy.
• Classified (adj): Officially kept secret, often by a government.
• Confidential (adj): Intended to be kept secret.
• Hush-hush (adj, informal): Highly secret or confidential.

Synonyms

• Secret
• Confidential
• Hidden
• Concealed
• Hush-hush (informal)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Behind closed doors: Happening in private, not publicly.
  • The discussions were held behind closed doors.
• On the down-low (DL) (slang): Kept secret or quiet.
  • They're keeping their relationship on the down-low.
• Under the radar: Without attracting notice or attention.
  • The project flew under the radar for years.

Note: "Under wraps" is an established idiomatic phrase. It does not function as a phrasal verb.

Adjective

1. kept secret
   • the plan was kept carefully under wraps