keep mum

Related to keep mum: keep to oneself

keep mum

To remain silent; to not say anything (e.g., about a secret). Make sure you kids keep mum in there or you're both grounded! You have to keep mum about Dave's retirement party—we want it to be a surprise.
See also: keep, mum
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep mum

remain silent about something; not reveal a secret. informal
See also: keep, mum
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

keep ˈmum

(informal) say nothing about a secret; stay silent: I just kept mum when she asked me where Ben was. She’d be furious if she knew. Please will everyone keep mum about Saturday. We want to give them a real surprise. OPPOSITE: blow the gaff (on somebody/something)
See also: keep, mum
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep away
  • keep away (from someone or something)
  • keep (one's) lips sealed
  • keep (one's) eye(s) out (for something or someone)
  • keep eye out
  • keep by
  • keep (something) by
  • earn its keep
  • keep (something) under wraps
  • be asking for trouble
References in periodicals archive
Scottish Government Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "I am keen to ensure the public and all relevant stakeholders, including the Keep Mum campaign group, remain fully engaged with this process.
KEEP mum's mits warm with these Fred Perry Authentic women's knitted gloves, above, pounds 24.99, at Psyche.
[U.S.A], November 13 ( ANI ): While the cast members that star in a big franchise are said to keep mum about all the things that could spoil the movie, actor Adam Driver, who portrays the role of Kylo Ren in 'Star Wars' franchiser, has not been told to keep quiet about the secrets of 'The Last Jedi'.
Daniyal Gilani said that PIA flights were delayed on excuse of search or for any other reason after which not only flights schedule affected badly but fine was also paid, however we will not keep mum on this incident.
ISLAMABAD, August 23, 2010 (Balochistan Times): Aiwan-e-Sadr has decided to keep mum over the remarks made by MQM leader Altaf Hussain regarding imposing martial law in the country.
Not only will it appeal to boys and girls - there's a feisty Viking maiden - it has enough going on to keep mum and dad entertained.
Although this closet door will be blown open in December, when Erica Kane (played by daytime diva Susan Lucci) finally discovers the truth about her teenage daughter, Riegel spent months struggling to keep mum. "When I first got on the show, [the producers] said, `You can't tell anybody.' I was like, `Not even my mom?'" recalls Riegel.
Democrito Barcenas, one of the organizers, said people should not keep mum amid killings and other human rights abuses being committed by the administration of President Duterte.
London (United Kingdom), June 10 ( ANI ): Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday continued to keep mum on the controversies surrounding the sixth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), and said that his side is at the moment focusing on the ongoing Champions Trophy.
In the joint statement they issued on the two-day summit, the Southeast Asian leaders chose to keep mum on the crisis.
CDA has tacitly decided to keep mum over encroachments until Eid, which would witness an automatic termination of these encroachments; while irked citizens are rather concerned about current times.
I've been asked to keep mum about it," the 28-year-old model tweeted in reply.
In a rare move, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has demanded all officers keep mum on the matter.
By ISLAMABAD, December 13, 2011 (Frontier Star): Public park Shahdra near Bhara Kahu is in plight condition, while the security system is poor and the authorities concerned are keep mum over the situation.
London, Feb 17 (ANI): Justin Bieber has decided to keep mum on reports that he is dating Selena Gomez, insisting his private life is nobody else's business.