Question of the Day #1035

The fear of giving it all away has too many business owners keeping their ideas to themselves to “play it close to the vest.”

From the 3rd paragraph of this article at Forbes.

  上記の文で、play it close to the vestの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "play it close to the vest" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

手の内を見せないようにする、秘密裏に行う、慎重に［注意深く］行動する

Play it close to the chestということもあります。  

Answer

According to the Collins English Dictionary:

1. to be reserved, secretive, etc.; keep (one's plans, thoughts, etc.) to oneself
2. to take no risks; be cautious, conservative, etc.

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

【語源】play one's cards close to the vestから。

 

Etymology

According to Eijiro:

Abbreviated form of "play one's cards close to the vest."

   

Examples

• Play it close to the vest. Don't give away what you're really thinking.
• Matt Schaub plays it close to the vest
• Presidential Frontrunners Play it Close to the Vest on Healthcare
• What's the end game? Play it close to the vest so you can maybe save a few bucks on your offer?
• Rather than passing the buck, you play it close to the vest without showing your hand, maintain an inscrutable poker face and hope to hit the jackpot.

   

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