secret d'État

closely guarded secret

→ secret
phrase Rare #51,376
closely guarded secret Often used figuratively or humorously to describe something being kept secret, even when it has nothing to do with government.
FR: Le cadeau que je lui prépare est un secret d'État.
EN: The gift I’m preparing for them is a closely guarded secret.

C'est pas un secret d'État.

It's not a state secret.

— The Rip (2026)

Tout ceci est un grand secret d'État.

This is all a great state secret.

— Le Bras de diamant (1969)

La fabrication du papier est longtemps restée un secret d'État.

Papermaking remained a state secret for a long time.

Son costume est un secret d'État.

His costume is a state secret.

— Rebecca (1940)