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

Tellez, who missed the featherweight limit and was therefore ineligible to win the titles - though Serrano's belts would have been vacated had she lost - fought largely on the back foot but grew in confidence through the middle rounds.

From BBC

The home fans grew in confidence as the match wore on but City could not find the key to unlock the defence as Sunderland maintained their impressive unbeaten record at home this season.

From BBC

The decline in confidence contrasts a little with the results of the University of Michigan’s closely watched December consumer confidence survey published last week.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hoping AJ is underestimating him, hoping AJ is shot, hoping AJ's inactivity will cost him, hoping AJ is low in confidence, hoping AJ's chin isn't what it once was.

From BBC

"They've just gone about their business quietly and grown in confidence, and I think if you're six points clear at the end of Christmas then you'd be looking forward to that break and to go again in January," ex-England defender Lindsay Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

From BBC

Related Words

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