PhrasesHub

Keep shtum

    Definitions

      • remain silent
        Instruct someone to not speak or divulge information

      • keep a secret
        Encourage someone to not reveal confidential information

    Examples of Keep shtum

    • Sarah's best friend advised her to keep shtum about the surprise party they planned for her boyfriend's birthday.

      In this example, "keep shtum" means for Sarah to not reveal the secret party plan to her boyfriend or anyone else. It's a British English expression that comes from the Yiddish word "shṭum" which means "silent" or "quiet".

    • The police warned the witnesses to keep shtum until the trial was over.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is used to mean for the witnesses not to discuss or reveal any details of the case until the trial has concluded.

    • During a negotiation, the businessman asked his advisor to keep shtum about their company's financial situation.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is being used to mean for the advisor to not disclose any confidential information about the company's finances to others.

    • The coach instructed the athletes to keep shtum about the team's strategies until the competition began.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is being used to mean for the athletes not to share any details about the team's game plan with other teams or the media until the competition starts.

    • Sarah's best friend, Lisa, urged her to keep shtum about the surprise party she was planning for Sarah's birthday.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is used as a direct instruction given by Lisa to Sarah. It means that Sarah should avoid speaking about Sarah's birthday celebration, as she doesn't want the surprise to be spoiled. The phrase "keep shtum" originated in the Jewish community, where it's traditional to remain silent during certain religious ceremonies. Now, it's commonly used among speakers of British English.

    • During the trial, the witness was advised by the judge to keep shtum about certain details of the crime, as they were not directly related to the case.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is used in a legal context. It instructs the witness to avoid discussing certain aspects of the crime, as they are not relevant to the trial and could potentially prejudice the outcome. This use of "keep shtum" implies confidentiality and discretion.

    • Jake's boss suggested that he keep shtum until the new company policy was officially announced.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is used to imply that the speaker should refrain from discussing a particular matter until it has been officially communicated to them. This could be to avoid creating confusion or misunderstanding, or simply to maintain confidentiality.

    • Luke's girlfriend warned him to keep shtum when they were in front of her family, as they were not yet ready to announce their relationship.

      In this example, "keep shtum" is used in a social context. It suggests that Luke should avoid discussing his relationship with Luke's girlfriend's family, as they haven't yet been informed about it. This use of "keep shtum" implies respect for the other person's privacy and discretion.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "keep shtum" is used to tell someone to remain silent or to keep a secret. It is often used in informal or colloquial language.

    Origin of "Keep shtum"

    The origin of the idiom "keep shtum" can be traced back to the Yiddish word "shtum," which means "silent." It is believed to have been brought to the English language by Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century. The word "shtum" eventually evolved into the idiom "keep shtum," which is now commonly used in British English to instruct someone to remain silent or keep a secret. The idiom has become a part of everyday language and is used in various contexts to convey the message of maintaining confidentiality or not speaking out.