in private
249
2.4
- idiom
:
en privado
- I wonder if I could have a word in private.
- work in private
- in private conversation
- in public or in private
You later find out in private they're a shit show, right?
- You later find out in private they're a shit show, right?
- I care too much about other people but I belly dance in private all the time.
- But if I ask in private, now I'm going to get real truth, yes.
- I mean, they are very sometimes quite direct in explaining in private what has happened.
- No, he was a very aloof person in private.
- And I tend to like to do those things in private.
- We do it with patience in private.
- Yeah, you know, but this is a question asked in private.
- And I would, I would, I would wear, I'd wear all that in private.
- I, I think with Brett, I failed to reach out in private to the degree that I should have.
- Look, he all of the scandal of Nixon took place in private.
- I always think you should tell someone big emotional news in private.
- They she fought those battles in private.
Examples
-
She prefers to resolve personal issues in private rather than in front of others.
-
I have to talk to you in private.
-
Number six, be who you are in private as you say who you are in public.
-
You know, believe me, many more people say these things when in private than they do in public.
-
Could I talk to you in private for a second?
-
Could I see you two guys in private for a minute?
-
I can give you the details in private after this meeting, Mr. President.
Fiction book (1990) -
Ms. Riding, may I have a word in private?
-
We discussed it in private, which is where I thought it would remain.
-
Mr. Graham, is there someplace we can speak in private?
Synonyms
∞
1.0
By yourself with no other people present
174
3.2
In a way not shared with other people
112
4.1
In private and not open to the public
40
9.9
In secret so other people do not know
2
8.6
Happens in private with only the people involved present
1
3.4
A place where you are not seen or heard by others
1
8.6
In secret and quietly so nobody finds out
Antonyms
How Private
56
2.5
- Literature
112
4.1
249
2.4
174
3.2
339
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'without other people being present' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'in' (indicating location/situation) with 'private' (personal/not public). This preposition + adjective pattern is straightforward in English and mirrored in many languages (e.g. Spanish 'en privado', French 'en privé'), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
The phrase in private comes from the image of going in to a small private room away from others to speak quietly, so it means 'without other people being present'.