keep one's own counsel

keep one's own counsel
To keep ones own business private; to be discreet, careful, or circumspect in what one says concerning ones own thoughts, deeds, or situation.

Who wills, may keep his own counsel—be his own secrets sovereign.

Syn: keep ones cards close to ones chest, keep ones lips sealed, keep ones mouth shut

Wikipedia foundation.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • keep one's own counsel — {v. phr.}, {formal} To keep your ideas and plans to yourself. * /John listened to what everyone had to say in the discussion, but he kept his own counsel./ * /Although everybody gave Mrs. O Connor advice about what to do with her house, she kept… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep one's own counsel — {v. phr.}, {formal} To keep your ideas and plans to yourself. * /John listened to what everyone had to say in the discussion, but he kept his own counsel./ * /Although everybody gave Mrs. O Connor advice about what to do with her house, she kept… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep one's own counsel — ► keep one s own counsel not disclose one s plans or opinions. Main Entry: ↑counsel …   English terms dictionary

  • keep one's own counsel — idi keep one s own counsel, to remain silent …   From formal English to slang

  • keep one's own counsel — keep one s ideas and plans to oneself He always keeps his own counsel and never really reveals his plans to anyone …   Idioms and examples

  • To keep one's own counsel — Counsel Coun sel (koun s[e^]l), n. [OE. conseil, F. conseil, fr. L. consilium, fr. the root of consulere to consult, of uncertain origin. Cf. {Consult}, {Consul}.] 1. Interchange of opinions; mutual advising; consultation. [1913 Webster] All the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • keep\ one's\ own\ counsel — v. phr. formal To keep your ideas and plans to yourself. John listened to what everyone had to say in the discussion, but he kept his own counsel. Although everybody gave Mrs. O Connor advice about what to do with her house, she kept her own… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • keep one's own counsel — say nothing about what one believes, knows, or plans she doubted what he said but kept her own counsel …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep one's own counsel — not confide in others. → counsel …   English new terms dictionary

  • keep one's counsel — verb a) To keep ones own business private; to be discreet, careful, or circumspect in what one says concerning ones own thoughts, deeds, or situation. As he held his mother to him, he longed to tell her all, but he kept his counsel …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”