open secret

noun

1. something supposedly secret but actually known quite generally.

open secret

noun

1. something that is supposed to be secret but is widely known

Word History and Origins

Origin of open secret¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

Something that is supposedly clandestine but is in fact widely known, as in It's an open secret that both their children are adopted. This expression originated as the title of a Spanish play by Calderón, El Secreto a Voces (“The Noisy Secret”), which was translated by Carlo Gozzi into Italian as Il pubblico secreto (1769). In English the term came into general use during the 1800s.

Example Sentences

When I mentioned his name to people in the industry, I was told it was "the biggest open secret in TV".

From BBC

She calls the issue an "open secret" but one that managers felt unable to tackle.

From BBC

It's an open secret in Westminster billions will be found for health and defence.

From BBC

And even though his next destination was not mentioned in his emotional farewell video, it is an open secret that he will join his friend and England colleague Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.

From BBC

It’s an open secret that Nina privately performs abortions for those in the impoverished outlying villages.

From Los Angeles Times