 This page is about the idiom keep it under your hat Show MeaningIf someone tells you a secret and you keep it under your hat, you don't tell anyone. For example
Origin: There are at least two theories about this idiom's origin. One says it's related to the fact that archers in medieval Europe used to keep spare strings for their bows under their hats, with the implication being that other things could also be kept under one's hat without anyone knowing about it. The other says it's related to the fact that one's head is under one's hat, and that to keep something under one's hat simply means to keep it in one's head, as opposed to spreading it around by telling everyone. See Idiom of the Day today Contributor: Matt Errey Next idiom: knock your socks off EnglishClub : Learn English : Vocabulary : Reference : Idioms : Clothing : keep it under your hat
Collocations
Thesaurus
Blog
BuzzWord Open Dictionary Resources Quizzes Videos Search BuzzWord Open Dictionary Resources Quizzes Videos
Search IDM phraseinformal DEFINITIONS1
American definition and synonyms of keep something under your hat from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. This is the American English definition of keep something under your hat.View British English definition of keep something under your hat. Change your default dictionary to British English. See also main entry: hatSee also main entry: hat ThesaurusTrending Wordsfor 3.3% blue movie -19.2% take on -2.7% put off -6.8% keen on something -7.8% Discover Synonyms of the monthgift
present surprise token package largesse treat Browse more
Using the dictionary Quizzes Vocabulary quiz: trending words of 2020
Take the quiz now Contact Privacy Consent Management Cookies Policy Terms and Conditions FAQ Index About Authors Partners Options Tools
FOLLOW US Twitter Facebook Join Macmillan Dictionary on Twitter and Facebook for daily word facts, quizzes and language news. © Macmillan Education Limited 2009–2022 What does the phrase mean keep it under your hat?: to keep (something) secret : to not tell anyone about (something) I'll tell you what happened, but you have to keep it under your hat.
What does the expression talking through your hat mean?to talk about something without understanding what you are talking about: Nothing of what he said made sense - he was talking through his hat.
What does word to my hat mean?(interjection) British informal. a. my word! my goodness!
Where did the phrase keep it under your hat come from?In the mid-1800s the term was used in Britain as an admonishment to keep something in your head, to leave something in your imagination and not bring it to fruition. The oldest example of this use of the phrase is in The History of Pendennis by William Makepeace Thackeray, published in 1848.
|
What does the phrase in your hat mean?
Copyright © 2024 ShotOnMac Inc.
