keep secrets

[kiːp ˈsiːkrɪts]
verb phrase
guardar segredos
1. to refrain from revealing or disclosing confidential information to others
I trust you to keep secrets about my personal life.
Confio em você para guardar segredos sobre minha vida pessoal.
2. to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding sensitive matters
She's good at keeping secrets and never gossips about her friends.
Ela é boa em guardar segredos e nunca fofoca sobre seus amigos.
3. to be trustworthy and reliable in protecting private information
Can you keep secrets? This is very important to me.
Você consegue guardar segredos? Isso é muito importante para mim.
In both Brazilian and American cultures, the ability to keep secrets is highly valued as a sign of trustworthiness and loyalty. In Brazil, there's a cultural emphasis on close friendships (amizade) where keeping confidences is integral to maintaining relationships. In the USA, discretion is often tied to professional ethics and personal integrity.
NYC Slang
keep it on the down low / keep it tight
Synonyms / Sinônimos
maintain confidentialitystay silenthold one's tonguebe discreetprotect information
Antonyms / Antônimos
reveal secretsdisclose informationgossipblabspread rumors

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
guardar segredos
most common and standard form used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
guardar segredos / manter segredos
both forms are used equally
São Paulo
guardar segredos
standard form, professional and informal contexts
Portugal
guardar segredos / manter segredos
equivalent Portuguese usage, slightly more formal with 'manter'

Related Words

confidentialdiscretiontrustworthyconfidantsecret

Related Idioms & Phrases

seal one's lips
take it to the grave
a secret between us
hold one's peace
keep something under wraps
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