trade secret
Plural
trade secrets
1
a piece of important business information or method that a company keeps private to stay competitive
- The recipe for their famous sauce is a trade secret.
- He accidentally shared a trade secret with a competitor.
- She was fired for leaking a trade secret to the press.
- The formula used to make the product is a closely guarded trade secret.
- Companies often go to great lengths to protect their trade secrets.
2
a piece of personal or private information that one refuses to share with anyone
The idiom "trade secret" originated from the business world, where it referred to confidential information that a company keeps hidden from competitors to maintain a competitive advantage. These secrets could include formulas, processes, or methods that are crucial to the success of a business. Over time, the phrase expanded beyond business contexts to refer to any piece of personal or private information someone is unwilling to share, regardless of its professional relevance.
- She refuses to talk about her childhood, saying it’s a trade secret.
- My uncle always keeps his plans for the weekend a trade secret.
- He won’t share how he stays so fit, calling it a trade secret.
- She keeps her beauty routine a trade secret from her friends.