keeps counsel
Guards private information
To keep counsel is to stay silent about something you know, especially when others might expect you to share it.
Someone who keeps their own counsel thinks things through privately rather than seeking advice: She kept her own counsel about the job offer until she'd made her decision.
The phrase suggests discretion and self-reliance.
- judiciousnessCareful, wise reasoning
- reticenceHabitual verbal restraint
- sagacityPenetrating mental acuity
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
confidentiality · need to know · loyalty · concealment · sworn to secrecy · non-disclosure · discernment · tight-lipped · lips sealed · faithfulness · circumspection · trustworthy · reliability · dependability · taciturnity · reserve · close-mouthed · caution
keeps counselgossips
Shares private information
blabs · tells all · spills the beans · lets the cat out of the bag · tattles
keeps counselovershares
Divulges too much
verbose · garrulous · loquacious · chatty · motormouth
keep, keeps, keeping, keeper, keepers, counsel, counsels, counseled, counseling