keep one's own counsel
Guard your thoughts
To keep one's own counsel is to keep one's thoughts, plans, or opinions private rather than sharing them with others.
The phrase suggests deliberate discretion—not speaking until ready, or not speaking at all: She kept her own counsel about the merger until the board meeting.
Someone who keeps their own counsel may be wise, cautious, or simply private.
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
- taciturnityDisinclined to speak
- hold one's tongueDeliberately not speak
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- tactSensitivity in speech
prudence · cards close to chest · secrecy · keep mum · silence · bite one's tongue · circumspection · privacy · judgment · self-reliance · non-disclosure · self-possession · strategy · independence · confidentiality · say nothing · reserve · thoughtfulness
keep one's own counselovershare
Disclose inappropriately personal information
spill the beans · tell all · bare one's soul · wear one's heart on one's sleeve · let it all out
keep one's own counselforthcoming
Soon to appear
garrulous · loquacious · talkative · voluble · outspoken
keep one's own counselseek advice
crowdsource · think out loud · follow the crowd · ask around
keeps, keeper, keepers, keeping, owners, owning, counsel, counsels, counseled