keep one's cards close to one's chest

Định Nghĩa và Ý Nghĩa của "keep one's cards close to one's chest"

to keep one's cards close to one's chest

CỤM TỪ

to refrain from revealing one's true intentions or plans

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "keep one's cards close to one's chest" and when to use it?

The idiom "keep one's cards close to one's chest" originated from the world of card games, particularly poker. It refers to a strategy where a player chooses to keep their playing cards hidden, close to their body, rather than revealing them to opponents. Metaphorically, the phrase signifies the act of being secretive, cautious, or reserved about one's intentions, plans, or information. It suggests that a person is not openly sharing their thoughts or revealing their true position, keeping their options and strategies concealed to maintain an advantage or avoid giving away too much information.

Ví dụ

The politician played his cards close to his chest during the campaign, strategically revealing his policies and plans at opportune moments.

The entrepreneur held her cards close to her vest when discussing her new invention, protecting her intellectual property until she secured proper patents.

The negotiator kept his cards close to his chest during the business deal, not revealing his true bottom line to the other party.

The detective held his cards close to his chest during the interrogation, carefully extracting information from the suspect without revealing his own knowledge.

She played her cards close to her vest when discussing her career plans, not disclosing her intentions until she had a solid plan in place.

Tải ứng dụng di động của chúng tôi

Tải Ứng Dụng

LanGeekDictionary

Định Nghĩa và Ý Nghĩa của "keep one's cards close to one's chest"

Download Mobile App