open secret
Plural
open secrets
1
something that was supposed to be kept from others but is not anymore
The idiom "open secret" has its origin in the concept of information or knowledge that is widely known or understood, despite not being officially acknowledged or publicly discussed. The phrase signifies that something is common knowledge or widely recognized among a particular group or community, even though it may not be openly acknowledged or admitted. The idiom is commonly used to describe situations where certain facts, rumors, or truths are widely known among people who share a common interest or connection, even though they may not be openly discussed or acknowledged.
- It was an open secret among the employees that the CEO was planning major layoffs.
- The affair between the two actors was an open secret in the entertainment industry.
- The team's poor performance was an open secret among their fans, leading to widespread disappointment.
- The corruption within the government was regarded as an open secret, although no concrete evidence had surfaced.
- Everyone in the neighborhood knew about the abandoned house's haunted history; it was an open secret among locals.