(speak/discuss) in confidence
Meaning(s)
1. (talk about something) in privacy or secrecy
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
there is something that I would like to speak about/discuss in confidence with you
Analysis
To speak and discuss both mean to talk. When you discuss you usually speak with another person in order to share ideas or views. To say something 'in confidence' means that you expect the person you are talking to, to keep your discussion private or secret. You could ask someone if you could 'speak with them in confidence' or ask to 'discuss an issue' or 'discuss a matter' in confidence.
Social Examples (Advance)
- I can't believe you told Frank what I had said about him. I told you that in confidence!
- She spoke to me in confidence about that so I'm afraid I can't talk about it with you.
- Do you have somewhere where we can speak in confidence?
- I can't comment in an official capacity, but I am happy to talk about it with you in confidence.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- I asked my boss if I could speak about something with her in confidence, so she told me to call into her office after lunch.
- What we discussed in the meeting was to be held in the strictest confidence. That's why no minutes were taken.