keep in the dark

/kiːp ɪn ðə dɑːrk/

phrase★Intermediate◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

To deliberately withhold information from someone, often to maintain control or avoid consequences.

¶ Literal Meaning

To physically keep someone in a dark place.

Literal Breakdown

keepto hold or maintain+in the darkin a place without light

◇ Mental Image

The metaphor of darkness represents a lack of knowledge or awareness, contrasting with light as a symbol of truth and understanding.

◈ When to Use

A manager keeps their team in the dark about upcoming layoffs to prevent panic and maintain productivity.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects cultural values around transparency and trust, particularly in professional and social relationships.

informal

To deliberately withhold information from someone, often to maintain control or avoid consequences.

She kept her family in the dark about her plans to move abroad.

She did not tell her family about her plans to move abroad.

The government was accused of keeping the public in the dark about the environmental risks.

The government was accused of not informing the public about the environmental risks.

💡

This idiom is often used in contexts where transparency is expected but withheld.

Collocations

keep someone in the darkto deliberately not inform someonekeep the public in the darkto withhold information from the general public

in the darkphrase

uninformed or unaware

come out of the darkphrase

to reveal previously hidden information

This idiom is often used when criticizing someone for not sharing important information.

Do not use this idiom to describe literal darkness or physical hiding.

The phrase likely originates from the idea of physical darkness representing ignorance or lack of knowledge.

This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about transparency, trust, and power dynamics.

English Dictionary