keep one's cards close to one's chest

Verb

keep one's cards close to one's chest (third-person singular simple present keeps one's cards close to one's chest, present participle keeping one's cards close to one's chest, simple past and past participle kept one's cards close to one's chest)

1. (figuratively, idiomatic) To avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.
   • Balthus has always kept his cards close to his chest. When I asked him if Summertime was a transcription of Poussin's Echo and Narcissus—a variant of his lost copy—he did not reply.1997, Sabine Rewald, “Balthus's Magic Mountain”, in The Burlington Magazine, volume 139, number 1134, page 626
   • Abdullah has not yet revealed his choice for the No 2 post when he takes over as prime minister, preferring to keep his cards close to his chest.2002 December 25, Anil Netto, “Malaysia: Year of surprises and hardships”, in Asia Times, retrieved 25 Oct 2008

   Synonyms:

   keep one's counsel, chest one's cards

2. (literal) To hold one's hand close to one's chest so that other players cannot see the cards.