in plain sight
Not at all hidden
In plain sight describes something visible and unconcealed, yet often unnoticed: The keys were in plain sight on the counter the whole time.
The phrase often emphasizes irony—that something obvious went unseen, or that someone hid by not hiding at all: The fugitive lived in plain sight for years.
Able to be seen
- conspicuousClearly visible, attention-grabbing
- exposedOut in open
- unconcealedNot hidden away
- unhiddenNot kept secret
observable · noticeable · evident · apparent · clear · manifest · overt · seeable
Made visible or known
- detectedNoticed or found
- discoveredFound something previously unknown
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
- uncoveredMade visible or known
found · spotted · noticed · recognized · identified · exposed · unmasked · disclosed
Staying out of sight
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- covertIntentionally concealed
deception · misdirection · overlooked · unnoticed · blending · masquerade · subterfuge · sleight
visible
Able to be seen
- conspicuousClearly visible, attention-grabbing
- exposedOut in open
- unconcealedNot hidden away
unhidden · observable · noticeable · evident · apparent · clear · manifest · overt · seeable · detectable
revealed
Made visible or known
- detectedNoticed or found
- discoveredFound something previously unknown
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
uncovered · found · spotted · noticed · recognized · identified · exposed · unmasked · disclosed · divulged
hiding
Staying out of sight
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
covert · deception · misdirection · overlooked · unnoticed · blending · masquerade · subterfuge · sleight · undetected
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- exposedbare, uncovered, revealed, visible, exposed
- clarityclearness, clear, obvious, simplification, concise
in plain sighthidden
Kept out of sight
concealed · out of sight · tucked away · invisible · camouflaged
in plain sightunnoticed
Not perceived by anyone
overlooked · undetected · unseen · imperceptible · inconspicuous
in plain sightunder wraps
Deliberately kept hidden
in secret · behind closed doors · covertly · clandestinely · surreptitiously
plain, sight, insight, oversight, plains, foresight, sighted, sighting, unsightly