leaking secrets
Unauthorized information disclosure
Leaking secrets is the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, typically by an insider to journalists, the public, or foreign entities.
The phrase implies a breach of trust or security: He was fired for leaking secrets to the press.
Government contexts distinguish between whistleblowing (exposing wrongdoing) and leaking (any unauthorized release), though the line blurs depending on who's drawing it.
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- classified informationSensitive, access-restricted material
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
betrayal · mole · informant · loose lips · confidential · need to know · expose · breach · treason · spill · disclosure · insider · documents · off the record · tipoff · coverup · smoking gun · surveillance
- betrayalsbackstabbing, cheating, disloyalty, double-crossing, infidelity
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- betrayalbackstab, betray, betrayal, traitor, backstabber
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
- official misconductmalfeasance, ethics violation, misconduct, misfeasance, nonfeasance
- political crimestreason, sedition, insurrection, coup d'etat, political corruption
leaking secretskeeping secrets
keeping mum · discretion · keeping quiet · buttoning up · compartmentalizing
leak, leaks, leaked, leaky, leakage, leaker, leakers, secret, secrets