a magician never reveals his secrets
This phrase is often used to explain why someone won't disclose the methods behind an impressive feat, drawing from the tradition of magicians keeping their tricks confidential.
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Definition
B2General
(idiom, informal)Used to politely refuse to explain how something impressive was done.
Example
- When asked how she made the perfect cake, she just smiled and said, 'A magician never reveals his secrets.'
C1Professional
(proverb, formal)Suggests that experts should keep the details of their skills confidential to maintain their advantage.
Example
- The chef refused to share his recipe, citing the old saying, 'A magician never reveals his secrets.'