in confidence

Idioms  

1. Also, in strict confidence. Privately, on condition that what is said will not be revealed. For example, The doctor told her in confidence that her mother was terminally ill, or He told us in strict confidence that Gail was pregnant. This idiom was first recorded in 1632. Also see take into one's confidence.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in confidence

S&P’s survey recorded the fastest pace of new export business in over 15 years, underpinning an upturn in confidence among Korean firms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

The decline in confidence comes despite the Ifo Institute’s business sentiment index on Thursday rising to a more-than-three-year high.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Klinge avoided a whitewash and then grew in confidence, turning what once looked like a thrashing into a one-leg deficit.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

The recent dip in confidence may have more to do with inflation, he said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

“If your mother only knew,” he told her, doubling up with laughter, as he always said when he told her something in confidence.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• clandestinely
• covertly
• furtively
• personally
• privately
• quietly
• stealthily
• surreptitiously