Mum’s the word

Meaning

The idiom "mum's the word" means that there is a secret or important information that should not be shared or talked about. It suggests that whoever is keeping this information, whether it's a parent, an authority figure, or someone else with power, does not want others to know about it.

Usage

• "The manager asked me to keep quiet about the new project they're working on; mum's the word." (This sentence suggests that the speaker is being told to keep a secret about a work project.)
• "I accidentally overheard my sister talking about her new boyfriend, but I promised her mum's the word." (This sentence suggests that the speaker was told not to reveal information about their sister's relationship.)
• "The police officer asked me if I knew anything about the robbery, but I said mum's the word because I didn't want to get involved." (This sentence suggests that the speaker is being told not to reveal any information that could potentially put themselves in danger or get them involved in a criminal investigation.)
• "I wanted to tell my friend that their ex-girlfriend was cheating on them, but my friend said mum's the word and I had to keep quiet." (This sentence suggests that the speaker is being told not to reveal important information about their friend's relationship.)
• "The CEO of the company told us that they were going through a restructuring process, but we were sworn to mum's the word and couldn't tell anyone about it until the official announcement was made." (This sentence suggests that the speaker is being told not to reveal important information about a company's changes until it has been officially announced.)

Roots and History

The idiom "mum's the word" is believed to have originated in medieval England, where mothers were often expected to keep secrets about their children. In this context, "mum" would refer to the mother figure, and "the word" would refer to any information that was deemed too sensitive or important to be shared with others. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to include any secret or important information that is not meant to be revealed. It has also become more commonly used in a variety of contexts beyond just family secrets.

Synonyms in English

• "Lip service" - referring to the act of pretending to keep quiet about something when in fact you are willing to share it with others.
• "Under wraps" - referring to information that is being kept secret, usually because it could potentially cause harm or embarrassment if revealed.
• "In the loop" - referring to someone who has access to important or sensitive information that they should not share with others.
• "On the need-to-know basis" - referring to someone who only needs to know information in order to do their job, and does not have any other reason or right to access it.
• "Keep your nose clean" - referring to someone who is expected to maintain a certain level of secrecy or discretion, often because they are in a position of power or responsibility.

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Le secret est bien gardé" (The secret is well kept) - This idiom has a similar meaning to "mum's the word", but is more commonly used in formal contexts such as business and politics.
• Spanish: "La lengua muerta" (The dead tongue) - This idiom refers to the idea of keeping things quiet or not talking about something, often because it could cause trouble if revealed.
• German: "Mund und Maul" (Lips and mouth) - This idiom is similar to "lip service" in English, but refers specifically to the act of pretending to keep quiet when you are actually willing to share information.
• Italian: "La lingua muore" (The tongue dies) - This idiom has a similar meaning to "mum's the word", and is often used in informal contexts with family and friends.
• Portuguese: "O canto feito" (The locked mouth) - This idiom refers to the idea of keeping things quiet or not talking about something, often because it could cause trouble if revealed.

Similar Idioms

• make the best of

• miles away

• my way or the highway