Close to the vest
Meaning
To keep information secret and private, not revealing one's true intentions or plans.
Origin
In the smoke-filled, dimly lit saloons of 19th-century America, where fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a card, serious poker players knew one cardinal rule: keep your hand hidden. Holding your cards "close to the vest"—a waistcoat often worn over a shirt—was a literal necessity to prevent prying eyes from glimpsing your hand and gaining an unfair advantage. This simple, guarded gesture evolved beyond the card table, becoming a vivid metaphor for anyone who shrewdly keeps their plans, intentions, or true feelings carefully concealed, much like a poker player protecting a winning hand.
Examples
- The CEO played the merger negotiations very close to the vest, surprising everyone with the final announcement.
- She tends to keep her personal life close to the vest, rarely discussing it with colleagues.