keep schtum
Don't say anything
To keep schtum is to stay silent, especially about something you know but shouldn't reveal.
The phrase comes from Yiddish and appears mainly in British English: Keep schtum about what you saw.
Also spelled shtum, stumm, or schtumm.
Related expressions include stay schtum and go schtum.
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
- undisclosedNot made known
- off-the-recordNot for attribution
privy · non-disclosure · need-to-know · unrevealed · unspoken · trusted · omertà
Without voice or sound
- hushAbsence of sound
- quietLacking in sound
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
- buttoned-upFormally reserved, emotionally guarded
wordless · speechless · taciturn · reticent · uncommunicative · reserved · mum · zipped
Sensitivity in speech
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
restraint · sensitivity · thoughtfulness · delicacy · propriety · wise · measured · careful
Hiding wrongdoing from public
safeguard · self-preservation · protective · cautious · wary · careful · calculated
confidential
Meant to stay secret
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- hush-hushHighly confidential matter
- undisclosedNot made known
off-the-record · privy · non-disclosure · need-to-know · unrevealed · unspoken · trusted · omertà
mute
Without voice or sound
- hushAbsence of sound
- quietLacking in sound
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
buttoned-up · wordless · speechless · taciturn · reticent · uncommunicative · reserved · mum · zipped · stonewall
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
judgment · restraint · sensitivity · thoughtfulness · delicacy · propriety · wise · measured · careful · considerate
cover-up
Hiding wrongdoing from public
shield · safeguard · self-preservation · protective · cautious · wary · careful · calculated