keep one's cards close to one's vest
- keep one's cards close to one's vest
play one's cards close to one's chest & play one's cards close to one's vest & keep one's cards close to one's chest & keep one's cards close to one's vest
Fig. to keep to oneself or be very cautious in one's dealing with people. (As if one were playing cards and not permitting anyone to see any of the cards.) •
He is very cautious. He plays his cards close to his chest.
•
You seem to be playing your cards close to your vest.
Dictionary of American idioms.
2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
keep (or play) one's cards close to one's chest (or US vest) — informal be extremely secretive about one s intentions. → chest … English new terms dictionary
close to one’s vest (to keep) — Guard against others finding something out. In the card game of poker, players keep their cards close to their vest to prevent anyone from seeing them … American business jargon
play one's cards close to one's vest — play (or keep) one s cards close to one s vest see chest … Useful english dictionary
play (or keep) one's cards close to one's vest — see chest. → vest … English new terms dictionary
play/hold/keep your cards close to the/your chest/vest — to keep your plans, ideas, etc., hidden from other people No one knows if he s going to run for reelection. He s still playing his cards close to his chest. • • • Main Entry: ↑card … Useful english dictionary
play one's cards close to one's chest — To conceal one s full intentions ● card * * * I play (or keep) one s cards close to one s chest (or vest) informal be secretive and cautious about one s intentions II see ch … Useful english dictionary
vest — [vest] n. [Fr veste < It < L vestis, garment < IE base * wes , to clothe > OE werian, to WEAR1] 1. a) a short, tightfitting, sleeveless garment worn, esp. under a suit coat, by men b) a similar garment worn by women c) an insert or… … English World dictionary
vest — noun 1》 Brit. an undergarment worn on the upper part of the body, typically sleeveless. 2》 a sleeveless garment worn on the upper part of the body for a particular purpose: a bulletproof vest. 3》 N. Amer. & Austral. a waistcoat or sleeveless… … English new terms dictionary
international relations — a branch of political science dealing with the relations between nations. [1970 75] * * * Study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain subnational entities (e.g., bureaucracies and political… … Universalium
religion — religionless, adj. /ri lij euhn/, n. 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and… … Universalium
chest — noun 1》 the front surface of a person s or animal s body between the neck and the stomach. ↘the whole of a person s upper trunk. 2》 a large strong box for storage or transport. 3》 Brit. the treasury or financial resources of an institution.… … English new terms dictionary
