secret sauce

American

[see-krit saws] / ˈsi krɪt ˈsɔs /

noun

a secret element, strategy, procedure, etc., that accounts for or increases the chances of success.

The app's secret sauce is its simple interface.

Etymology

Origin of secret sauce

From a so-called sauce for hamburgers whose ingredients are a closely held secret

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.

Your secret sauce involved a plate full of fish.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

The algorithms are considered the secret sauce behind the app’s success and were built by ByteDance’s Chinese researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

She leans into the culinary metaphor when asked about her secret sauce.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026

The so-called secret sauce in TikTok's rapid expansion has been its innovative recommendation algorithm.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Radiohead's secret sauce has always been their rhythm section - who manage to locate sinewy, danceable grooves even when presented with their bandmate's most challenging material.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023