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  1. KudoZ™ Top
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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

acqua in bocca

English translation: keep schtum

13:13 Apr 19, 2004
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / AM English
Italian term or phrase: acqua in bocca
you want to share a secret with someone but want to make sure that he/she won’t tell anyone else

only AM English, please

many thanks in advance
verbis
Local time: 22:49
English translation:keep schtum
Explanation:
this is more American English

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs 3 mins (2004-04-19 21:16:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://english2american.com/dictionary/s.html
Selected response from:

forli
Local time: 21:49
Grading comment
many thanks to ALL of you

Unfortuntely I cannot share the kudoz.........

bacioni

laura
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +9mum's the word
Emanuela Clodomiro
4 +3keep it under your hat
PB Trans
5Keep it to yourself
James D'Agostino
5don't tell a soul
Ilaria Bottelli
4BETWEEN YOU AND ME
oldnick
4cross your heart and hope to die
Nancy Arrowsmith
4keep schtum
forli


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
mum's the word


Explanation:
.

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Note added at 9 mins (2004-04-19 13:23:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

oppure keep it to yourself!

Emanuela Clodomiro
Italy
Local time: 22:49
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Cinzia Zappa (X)
1 min
agree  GAR
11 mins
agree  kringle
17 mins
agree  Vittorio Felaco
20 mins
agree  Andreina Baiano: mum's the word!
50 mins
agree  manducci
1 hr
agree  Mario Marcolin
4 hrs
agree  VERTERE
21 hrs
neutral  Ilaria Bottelli: US English "mOm"...
21 hrs
agree  gmel117608
1 day 7 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
BETWEEN YOU AND ME


Explanation:
BETWEEN YOU AND ME (AND THE BEDPOST)

oldnick
Local time: 23:49
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
keep it under your hat


Explanation:
another suggestion

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 15 mins (2004-04-19 14:28:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To keep it under your hat

Definition: to keep a secret

EXAMPLE: I will tell you where my sister is hiding if you promise to keep it under your hat.

EXAMPLE: It is important to keep this information under your hat until next month.

http://www.clta.on.ca/eaonline/CrazyEnglish/idiom-clothes.ht...

PB Trans
Local time: 21:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  manducci
27 mins
agree  Mario Marcolin
3 hrs
agree  Ilaria Bottelli: anche!
20 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
cross your heart and hope to die


Explanation:
is what children would say in AE, the unspoken part is "if you ever say anything about this". This is between you and me would work for adults. Mum's the word sounds BE to my ears, would only be used in certain parts of the country.

Nancy Arrowsmith
Local time: 14:49
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Keep it to yourself


Explanation:
An Idiomatic expression used when a secret is shared, and which means don't tell anyone

James D'Agostino
Malta
Local time: 22:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in MalteseMaltese
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
keep schtum


Explanation:
this is more American English

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs 3 mins (2004-04-19 21:16:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://english2american.com/dictionary/s.html


    Reference: http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/meanings/215700.html
forli
Local time: 21:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
many thanks to ALL of you

Unfortuntely I cannot share the kudoz.........

bacioni

laura
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

21 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
don't tell a soul


Explanation:
sempre sentito questo in USA...

Ilaria Bottelli
Italy
Local time: 22:49
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
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