Under your hat - Keep it | English Idioms and Phrases

Definitions

keep something secret
Advise someone to keep information or a secret to themselves and not share it with others

Examples of Under your hat - Keep it

The secret plans for the upcoming project need to be kept confidential. Our competitors are always spying on us, so we need to make sure that no one finds out about our strategies. In order to keep this information a secret, we'll have to keep it under your hat.

The idiom "under your hat" is used here to describe how sensitive information needs to be kept in confidence. It implies that the information is so important and vital that it needs to be treated with the utmost secrecy, and only shared with a select few people who are deemed trustworthy. This idiom is used to emphasize the need for confidentiality and discretion.
I've got a confession to make, but you have to promise me that you won't tell anybody. I've been cheating on my spouse, and I need your help to keep it under wraps.

Here, the idiom "under wraps" is used interchangeably with "under your hat". Both idiomatic expressions convey the same meaning, which is to keep something a secret or confidential. In this example, the speaker is asking the recipient to keep their secret in confidence, and not reveal it to anyone else.
The police have uncovered a major scandal involving corruption in our company. We need to keep this news under our hats until we have time to come up with a plan of action.

In this example, the idiom "under our hats" is used to mean that we need to keep quiet about the scandal until we have had time to assess the situation and come up with a strategy for dealing with it. This idiom stresses the importance of remaining silent and discreet in face of a crisis or unexpected development.
We're planning a surprise party for our boss, and we can't let anyone spoil the surprise. We need to keep it under our hats until the big day.

Here, the idiom "under our hats" is used to emphasize the need for secrecy and confidentiality while planning a surprise party. It implies that we need to avoid any leaks or divulgations that could ruin the surprise for our boss. This idiom is commonly used in situations where planning a surprise event requires a high degree of discretion.
The secret plan that we've been working on is still a work in progress, but we need to keep it under your hat until we've presented it to the client. We don't want any competitors getting wind of our ideas.

In this example, "under your hat" is a figurative expression that means to keep something secret and confidential. The idea is that the person's hat serves as a cover or shelter for the information, and only the intended recipients will have access to it. By keeping the plan under the speaker's hats (meaning themselves and the client), they are ensuring that it remains confidential until it's ready to be shared.
My sister's new baby is still so tiny and fragile - I want to make sure that the news is kept under your hats until we've all had a chance to hear it from my sister herself. It's just a matter of respect for her privacy and the importance of the news.

In this example, "under your hats" is used to convey the idea that the information should be kept confidential and not shared with others until the intended recipient (in this case, the person being addressed) is made aware of it. It's a way of honoring the wishes of the person sharing the news and ensuring that it's delivered in a sensitive and responsible manner.
Our company has developed a groundbreaking new product, but we're still in the testing phase and it's not quite ready to be announced. We need to keep it under your hats until we've ironed out all the kinks and are confident in our product's performance. The last thing we want is for a competitor to get wind of our plans and steal our ideas.

In this example, "under your hats" is used to emphasize the importance of confidentiality and secrecy in order to protect the company's intellectual property. By keeping the information "under the hats" of the intended recipients, the company is able to maintain control over the product's development and ensure that it's not prematurely revealed to the public.
Despite the rumors that have been circulating, there's still no official confirmation about the merger. We need to keep it under your hats until the deal has been finalized and announced by the companies involved. It's important that we don't jump the gun and publish any speculative information that could upset the market or mislead our customers.

In this example, "under your hats" is used to convey the idea that there is still some uncertainty or doubt about the situation, and that it's important to maintain a cautious and reserved approach until the facts are confirmed. It's a way of emphasizing the importance of accuracy and reliability in reporting, and putting a premium on respecting the privacy and confidentiality of the companies involved.

Conclusion

The idiom "under your hat - keep it" is used to caution someone to keep information or a secret to themselves and not share it with others. It can be used to advise someone to not reveal something they have been told in confidence or to keep their own thoughts or plans to themselves. It is a way of encouraging discretion and confidentiality.

This idiom is often used in informal situations, such as among friends or in casual conversation. It is a way of reminding someone to be mindful of what they say and to respect the privacy or confidentiality of certain information.

Overall, the idiom "under your hat - keep it" is a reminder to keep something secret and not share it with others, emphasizing the importance of discretion and confidentiality.

Origin of "Under your hat - Keep it"

The origin of the idiom "under your hat - keep it" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. The phrase "under your hat" refers to keeping something hidden or secret, and "keep it" emphasizes the need to maintain that secrecy.

The use of "under your hat" in this context likely comes from the idea of hiding something under a hat, which was a common practice in the past. This could have evolved into a metaphor for keeping something concealed or private.

Overall, the origin of the idiom "under your hat - keep it" likely stems from the need for secrecy and confidentiality, with the imagery of hiding something under a hat serving as a metaphor for keeping something hidden or secret. Examples such as "I told you that in confidence, so keep it under your hat" would be appropriate in using this idiom in a sentence.