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Sometimes I have something to share, but hope that it can't be seen by my close friends or family.

Is there a word, idiom , or a better expression that means: “not be seen by someone”

An example: (one or more words)

I'd like to share this file but I don't want some of my friends to know, can it be ________ ?

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  • Could you provide a sentence and a blank space that shows how the word/expression would be used? For example: 1. "I would like to _______ this file" Or 2. "Can I make this file ________?" Are you looking for a noun, verb or an adjective? – Mari-Lou A Dec 15 '15 at 12:37
  • Sorry I removed SWR – jkim Dec 15 '15 at 12:51
  • Thanks for comments Mari. Is there no problem in the sentence? – jkim Dec 15 '15 at 12:53
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It is called a secret, as defined by M-W:

secret noun

: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few

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  • Hi, macraf. I decided that it made no sense to reward Eli Kim for a plausible answer even though he didn't cite his sources, and yet not give you any credit for an equally valid answer that does cite its reference authority. +1. – Sven Yargs Jan 16 '16 at 8:48
  • @Rathony You think it should be accepted, I think it should contain the author of translation per original comment. You like half-baked work and voicing your infallibility. I think such behaviour is disgusting and this is my last response to you. – macraf Jul 10 '16 at 4:10
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Confidential (adjective con·fi·den·tial \ˌkän-fə-ˈden(t)-shəl)

1: marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
2: private, secret
3: entrusted with confidences
4: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest — compare secret, top secret

ex) Can it be confidential?
ex) Can it be confidential between us?
ex) Can you keep it confidential?

[Definitions from Merriam-Webster online.]

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  • Hello, Eli Kim, and welcome to English Language & Usage. I upvoted your answer because I think the word you suggest is very suitable for the poster's needs. At this site, however, it's important to credit your sources; so please identify the reference work that your definitions came from, and provide a link to it if it is an online source. Thanks! – Sven Yargs Jan 15 '16 at 7:55
  • Hello, again, Eli Kim, I added the citation and link for you—but it's your responsibility to do so. Again, quoting a reference work without acknowledging the source is very poor practice, at EL&U and elsewhere. – Sven Yargs Jan 16 '16 at 8:46
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    Hi Sven Yargs, I haven't been on the website for a couple days, so sorry about the late reply, but thank you very much for notifying me. I appreciate it very much. As much as I have been learning a lot from this website, to contribute is a whole different matter, and your advice helps me greatly. Thanks again! – Eli Kim Jan 18 '16 at 10:21
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You can say:

I'd like to share this file but I don't want some of my friends to know, can it be kept quiet?

The idiom "keep quiet" means:

to refrain from talking about someone or something; to keep a secret about someone or something

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