between you, me, and the four walls

between you, me, and the four walls

What is going to be or has been said should not be told to anyone else. This phrase is usually said along with information that needs to be kept secret. I overheard the boss talking to her secretary last night and—just between you, me, and the four walls—she's giving the promotion to George after all. Between you and me and the four walls, Stephanie is not as qualified for this job as she claims to be. Now, this is between you, me, and the four walls, but I'm thinking about filing for divorce.

See also: and, between, four, wall

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

between you and me and the bedpost/gatepost/four walls/lamppost

In strictest confidence. This elaboration of just between you and me is often followed by gossip about someone else. The bedpost version dates from the early nineteenth century and was used by Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Eugene Aram, 1832: “Between you and me and the bedpost, young master has quarrelled with old master”), Dickens, and others. The lamppost version may be a little older, but is not much heard anymore.

See also: and, bedpost, between, four, gatepost, lamppost, wall

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer