in the dark

1. In secret, in concealment, as in This agreement was concluded in the dark . [Early 1600s]

2. In a state of ignorance, uninformed, as in I was in the dark about their plans . This metaphor often appears in the locution keep someone in the dark , meaning “deliberately keep someone uninformed,” as in They kept me in the dark about their plans . [Late 1600s] For an antonym, see in the know .

Example Sentences

Mr Michaels, 63, is a historian who specialises in the dark side of Hollywood.

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A lack of official jobs figures is also keeping the Fed in the dark, at least to a degree, regarding the other leg of its dual mandate of maximizing employment while keeping inflation in check.

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This is how developers work, of course, knocking things down in the dark of night and dealing with legal consequences later.

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She can do the installations in the dark, wearing a headlamp.

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This structure means banks don't have to hold as much emergency capital but leaves them more in the dark about the ultimate recipient of the funds.

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