in petto
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of in petto
Literally, “in (the) breast”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many American Catholics hope that Pius XII may have created New York's Archbishop Francis J. Spellman a Cardinal in petto when the American prelate was at the Vatican a month ago.
From Time Magazine Archive
Both, as a matter of fact, may now be Cardinals in petto, i.e., in the Pope's breast.
From Time Magazine Archive
He had, however, two plans in petto, of which he did not advise society generally.
From The Crooked Stick or Pollies's Probation by Boldrewood, Rolf
He had a grand scheme in petto, in the execution of which they could mainly assist him.
From Rookwood by Ainsworth, William Harrison
Before he could ask for the cause of this, she laughed aloud and mockingly said: "A good host has generally several surprises in petto for his guests; are you an exception to the general rule?"
From The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II by Lermina, Jules
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
