in private

Idioms  

1. Not in public; secretly, confidentially. For example, The hearings will be conducted in private, or May I speak to you in private? [Late 1500s] For an antonym, see in public.

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Example Sentences

Now in private practice, he specializes in full-body MRIs, which look for fat that can be a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Snapchat said the majority of time on its platform was in private messaging between friends and family.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

And Israeli leaders, across the political aisle, expressed deep concerns over the deal in private, warning they would not be bound by an agreement to which they were not a party.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

What did you learn from investing in private companies that informs your investments in public companies?

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

I hardly look at my own body in the mirror, even at home, in private.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• covert
• enigmatic
• reticent
• taciturn