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guard a secret

[gɑːrd ə ˈsiːkrət]
verb phrase
guardar um segredo
1. to keep something secret and not reveal it to others; to protect confidential information
I promised to guard her secret and never tell anyone.
Prometi guardar seu segredo e nunca contar para ninguém.
2. to maintain confidentiality about something sensitive or private
He carefully guards the secret of his family's past.
Ele guarda cuidadosamente o segredo do passado de sua família.
NYC Slang
keep it on the DL (down low); keep it tight
Synonyms
keep a secretkeep secretconcealhideprotect a secretmaintain confidentiality
Antonyms
reveal a secretdivulgediscloseleaktellexpose

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
guardar um segredo
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
guardar um segredo / manter na discrição
both expressions commonly used
São Paulo
guardar um segredo
standard usage in business and formal contexts
Portugal
guardar um segredo / manter sigilo
manter sigilo more formal; guardar segredo more colloquial

Related Idioms & Phrases

keep one's lips sealed
keep one's mouth shut
not breathe a word
keep cards close to one's chest
mum's the word
guardar silêncio sepulcral (Portuguese: maintain absolute silence)
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