between you and me

(redirected from between you, me and the gatepost)

(just) between you and me

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 and me, she's giving the promotion to George after all. Between you and me, Stephanie is not as qualified for this job as she claims to be.

between you and me

Also, between ourselves; just between you and me and the bedpost or four walls or gatepost or lamppost . In strict confidence. For example, Just between you and me, it was Janet who proposed to Bill rather than vice versa. This phrase, dating from about 1300, is generally followed by some informative statement that the listener is being asked to keep secret. The variant with bedpost, also shortened to post, dates from the early 1800s; four walls, also shortened to the wall, dates from the early 1900s, as does the gatepost.