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Synonyms

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.

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.

Kimiko takes Hana under her wing and helps her grow in confidence, and the pair open a bar called Lemon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The decline in confidence is amplified by the tough job market for recent graduates and uncertainty about the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The big cliffhanger to the episode is Monika being told by Auguste that Jim told him she sold the coin when she told Jim in confidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

They could not get through as easily and, as Spurs saw more of the ball, the hosts grew in confidence bit by bit and built their way back into the game.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Dad says, making it crystal clear that I can’t tell either of them anything in confidence.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

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.