under one’s hat: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "keep one's lips sealed" is closely related to the phrase "under one's hat." Both expressions convey the idea of keeping something secret or hidden. While "under one's hat" emphasizes the act of concealing information, "keep one's lips sealed" emphasizes the act of not speaking or revealing anything.

When someone keeps their lips sealed, it means that they are choosing not to disclose or share certain information. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as maintaining confidentiality, respecting someone's privacy, or simply not wanting to reveal too much.

Just like the idiom "under one's hat," "keep one's lips sealed" suggests that certain knowledge or information is being kept hidden or protected. It is often used in situations where it is important to keep things confidential or to respect the privacy of others.

For example, imagine a group of friends planning a surprise party for someone. They might say to each other, "Let's keep our lips sealed about the surprise so it doesn't get spoiled." This means that they are all agreeing to keep the information about the party secret and not reveal it to the person they are planning it for.

In this context, the idiom "keep one's lips sealed" is synonymous with "under one's hat" because both expressions convey the idea of hiding or guarding information. They emphasize the importance of maintaining secrecy and not letting certain knowledge become public.

Another idiom closely related to "under one's hat" is "keep one's cards close to one's chest." This phrase is often used in situations where someone is being cautious or secretive about their plans or intentions.

The idiom "keep one's cards close to one's chest" originates from the game of poker, where players hold their playing cards close to their chest to prevent others from seeing their hand. By keeping their cards hidden, players maintain an element of surprise and strategic advantage.

Similarly, when someone keeps their cards close to their chest in a non-literal sense, it means that they are keeping their plans, goals, or intentions secret. They are being cautious and not revealing too much information to others, just like someone who keeps something hidden "under their hat."

Both idioms highlight the importance of discretion and the strategic advantage of keeping valuable information hidden or protected. They suggest that sometimes it is best to keep one's intentions or plans secret in order to achieve a desired outcome or to maintain control over a situation.

Another related idiom is "up one's sleeve." This expression is often used to describe someone who has a secret plan or trick that they are keeping hidden, usually for future use.

The phrase "up one's sleeve" originates from magic tricks, where magicians hide objects or tricks up their sleeves to surprise and amaze their audience. By concealing their tricks, magicians create an element of surprise and wonder.

In a figurative sense, when someone has something "up their sleeve," it means that they have a secret plan or hidden advantage that others are not aware of. They are keeping something hidden or protected, just like someone who has something "under their hat."

Both idioms emphasize the idea of having hidden knowledge or resources that can be used strategically. They suggest that sometimes it is advantageous to keep certain information or plans concealed until the right moment, in order to achieve a desired outcome or gain an advantage over others.

Finally, the idiom "one's lips are sealed" is closely related to both "under one's hat" and "keep one's lips sealed." This expression is used to indicate that someone is choosing not to speak or reveal certain information.

When someone says "my lips are sealed" or "his/her lips are sealed," it means that they are committed to not disclosing or sharing specific information. It implies that they are keeping a secret or maintaining confidentiality, just like someone who keeps something hidden "under their hat."

Similarly to "under one's hat" and "keep one's lips sealed," the idiom "one's lips are sealed" emphasizes the importance of discretion and respecting the privacy or confidentiality of certain information. It suggests that sometimes it is better to remain silent or to choose not to reveal everything one knows.

The idiom "under one's hat" is closely related to the idioms "keep one's lips sealed," "keep one's cards close to one's chest," "up one's sleeve," and "one's lips are sealed." These expressions all convey the idea of keeping something hidden or secret, either through physical concealment or by choosing not to reveal certain information. They highlight the importance of discretion, privacy, and strategic advantage in various contexts. Whether it is keeping a secret, guarding valuable information, or maintaining confidentiality, these idioms remind us of the power and wisdom in sometimes keeping things "under one's hat."