mum's the word

mum's the word

A request or pledge to keep something a secret. Now, I don't want anyone to know that I'm pregnant yet, so mum's the word. Your secret is safe with me. Mum's the word.

See also: word

Mum's the word.

Fig. a pledge not to reveal a secret or to tell about something or someone. "Mum's the word," said Jane to ease Mary's mind about her secret.

See also: word

mum's the word

Say nothing about this, it's a secret, as in Mum's the word on tonight's surprise party. This expression dates from about 1700, but mum, meaning "silence," is much older. In 2 Henry VI (1:2) Shakespeare wrote, "Seal up your lips, and give no words but mum."

See also: word

mum's the word

say nothing; don't reveal a secret. informal

In both of these idioms, mum stands for an inarticulate sound made with pursed lips indicating either unwillingness or inability to speak.

1991 Atlantic City Mum's the word on who will play the major figures in this tale of woe.

See also: word

ˌmum’s the ˈword!

(informal) used for telling somebody to keep a secret or for telling somebody that you will keep a secret: ‘Nobody must mention this project outside the office. I hope that’s clear.’ ‘We understand, John. Mum’s the word!’

These two idioms refer to the sound you make when your mouth is closed.

mum's the word

Say nothing of the secret you know: Mum's the word on the surprise party.

See also: word

mum's the word

Keep it a secret. This seemingly modern slang phrase was used by Shakespeare—“Seal up your lips, and give no words but—mum” (HenryVI, Part 2, 1.2)—as well as numerous earlier writers. The word mum has meant silent since about 1350 and comes from the imitative sound made when one’s lips are closed (a kind of hum). The actual locution “Mum’s the word” appears in print over and over from about 1700.

See also: word