Meaning & use
keep shtum
Last updated
to stay silent and not reveal information, especially about something secret
See it in a sentence
He was told to keep shtum about the surprise party.
She kept shtum on the details of the deal.
A note on using this word
This phrase comes from Yiddish and is used informally, mainly in British English. It means to stay silent, often about something secret. It is not used in formal writing.
Words with a similar meaning
keep quietkeep mum
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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