keep one's cards close to one's chest

present singular third person keeps one's cards close to one's chest · participle present keeping one's cards close to one's chest · participle past kept one's cards close to one's chest · past kept one's cards close to one's chest

1. figurativelyidiomaticTo avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.

   However, the operator is keeping its cards close to its chest.

   2023 June 28, Ben Jones, “Are we getting rid of our (still useful) rolling stock too early?”, in RAIL, number 986, page 29

   2 more examples

   Balthus has always kept his cards close to his chest. When I asked him if Summertime was a transcription of Poussin's Echo and Narcissus—a variant of his lost copy—he did not reply.

   1997, Sabine Rewald, “Balthus's Magic Mountain”, in The Burlington Magazine, volume 139, number 1134, page 626

   Abdullah has not yet revealed his choice for the No 2 post when he takes over as prime minister, preferring to keep his cards close to his chest.

   2002 December 25, Anil Netto, “Malaysia: Year of surprises and hardships”, in Asia Times, retrieved 25 Oct 2008

   Synonyms: keep one's counsel, chest one's cards

2. literalcard gamesTo hold one's hand close to one's chest so that other players cannot see the cards.