Looking up...
keep in the dark
/kiːp ɪn ðə dɑːrk/◆idiom
to deliberately withhold information
The company kept its investors in the dark about the financial crisis.
The company deliberately did not inform its investors about the financial crisis.
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
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
This idiom is often used when criticizing someone for not sharing important information.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Do not use this idiom to describe literal darkness or physical hiding.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from the idea of physical darkness representing ignorance or lack of knowledge.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about transparency, trust, and power dynamics.
English Dictionary