Cool MateDon't tell anyone else vs Keep it secret
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't tell anyone else
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Keep it secret
Top 3,000 (common)
Most formal: Keep it secretMost common: Don't tell anyone else
| Don't tell anyone else | Keep it secret | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt tɛl ˈɛniwʌn ɛls//🇺🇸 //doʊnt tɛl ˈɛniwʌn ɛls// | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ɪt ˈsiːkrət//🇺🇸 //kip ɪt ˈsikrɪt// |
| Meaning | Do not share this with other people. | Don’t tell anyone about it. |
| Example | Please, don't tell anyone else about the surprise party. | You must promise to keep it secret. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | keep it confidential, share a secret, trust someone, whisper it quietly, discuss in private | keep a secret from someone, keep it under wraps, keep it to yourself |
| Antonyms | - | disclose, reveal, divulge |
| Common mistakes | Learners might confuse it with 'tell someone else'., Using 'not' instead of 'don't' in casual speech., Forgetting to say 'anyone' when expressing discretion. | Confusing it with 'keep it private', which has a slightly different meaning., 'Keeping secret' is incorrect; the correct phrase is 'keep it secret.' |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to request privacy. Avoid in formal situations or written communications. | Use when you want someone to not share information. Generally neutral, but can be informal in friendly contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't tell anyone else vs Keep it secret
What's the difference between Don't tell anyone else and Keep it secret?
Don't tell anyone else: Do not share this with other people. Keep it secret: Don’t tell anyone about it.
Which is more formal: Don't tell anyone else and Keep it secret?
Keep it secret is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Don't tell anyone else and Keep it secret?
Don't tell anyone else is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't tell anyone else: Please, don't tell anyone else about the surprise party. Keep it secret: You must promise to keep it secret.
Can I use Don't tell anyone else and Keep it secret interchangeably?
Not always. Don't tell anyone else and Keep it secret are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.