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What does “keep someone in the dark” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
B2
To deliberately not tell someone information
“They kept us in the dark about the changes for weeks.”
From the B2 lesson Reading Between the Lines (honest communication).
Quick check
What does “keep someone in the dark” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“keep someone in the dark” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits).
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Related phrases
- read between the linesto understand a meaning that isn't stated directly
- get your point acrossto make sure other people understand what you're trying to say
- beat around the bushto avoid saying something directly, usually because it's difficult
- straight to the pointdirect, without unnecessary details
- a heart-to-heartan honest, personal conversation, often about feelings
- break the newsto tell someone important information, often bad news
- speak your mindto say openly and honestly what you really think
- put it bluntlyto say something in a very direct, sometimes blunt, way
- drop a hintto suggest something indirectly rather than saying it outright