between you and me

Idioms and Phrases

Also, between ourselves ; just between you and me and the bedpost or four walls or gatepost or lamppost . In strict confidence. For example, Just between you and me, it was Janet who proposed to Bill rather than vice versa . This phrase, dating from about 1300, is generally followed by some informative statement that the listener is being asked to keep secret. The variant with bedpost , also shortened to post , dates from the early 1800s; four walls , also shortened to the wall , dates from the early 1900s, as does the gatepost .