play it close to one's chest
Be secretive or cautious, give nothing away, as in We've no idea how many tickets they sold; they play it close to their chests. This expression, which is also put as play one's cards close to one's chest, alludes to holding one's cards up against one's chest, so that no one else can see them. [Slang; mid-1900s]
Words nearby play it close to one's chest
play hide and seek,
play hooky,
play in peoria,
play into the hands of,
play it by ear,
play it close to one's chest,
play it cool,
play it safe,
play money,
play musical chairs,
play off