Keep it under your hat
Meaning
To keep a secret or refrain from sharing confidential information.
Origin
The phrase "keep it under your hat" vividly portrays the act of tucking away a piece of information, as if a secret could be physically hidden beneath one's headwear. Hats were once an indispensable part of daily attire for both men and women, rarely removed in public. This omnipresence made them a convenient, if metaphorical, hiding place. Imagine a whispered confidence that stays snugly tucked away, unheard and unseen by others, much like a note or small item one might genuinely conceal beneath a cap. The phrase effectively merges the physical act of concealment with the abstract act of keeping a secret, turning the hat into a silent, personal vault for private knowledge.
Examples
- I have some exciting news about the merger, but you have to keep it under your hat for now.
- She told him to keep it under his hat until the official announcement was made next month.