in private

in private

Away from others or in a way that others will not be able to observe; privately, as opposed to in public. We need to meet in private so that the paparazzi don't see us together. You better speak to him in private about that, instead of ambushing him in front of the whole staff. No, I need to talk to you in private—no one else can know about this.

See also: private

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

in private

privately; without others present. I'd like to speak to you in private. I enjoy spending the evening in private.

See also: private

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in private

Not in public; secretly, confidentially. For example, The hearings will be conducted in private, or May I speak to you in private? [Late 1500s] For an antonym, see in public.

See also: private

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

in private

Not in public; secretly or confidentially.

See also: private

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.