tight-lipped about + topic
Refusing to discuss something
This is the standard pattern for secrecy or silence about a subject.
She was tight-lipped about her future plans.
Tight-lipped about vs tight-lipped on
Tight-lipped about is the standard expression for being secretive about a topic. Tight-lipped on appears occasionally in journalism but is less standard.
Quick answer
Which preposition is correct with tight-lipped?
Use tight-lipped about to describe someone who refuses to share information about a subject. Tight-lipped on is less natural and mainly appears in some news styles.
The company stayed tight-lipped about the merger.
Officials remain tight-lipped about the investigation.
Officials remain tight-lipped about the investigation.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
tight-lipped about + event
Keeping information private
Use about with events, decisions, negotiations, and similar topics.
They stayed tight-lipped about the negotiations.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
tight-lipped about
The actor was tight-lipped about the rumours.
unwilling to reveal information
tight-lipped on
The minister was tight-lipped on the details.
less standard variant sometimes used in journalism
silent on
The report was silent on funding.
not mentioning a topic
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using on in formal learning contexts
About is the standard and safest choice after tight-lipped.
✕ She was tight-lipped on the issue. ✓ She was tight-lipped about the issue.Using tight-lipped for physical silence only
The phrase usually means secretive, not simply quiet.
✓ He stayed tight-lipped about the decision.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The company remained ___ the layoffs.
2. Reporters said the coach was ___ the team's strategy.
3. Which option is the most standard English?
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Frequently asked questions
Is tight-lipped on wrong?
It is not completely wrong, but it is less standard than tight-lipped about.
Can tight-lipped describe organisations?
Yes. Companies, governments, and teams can be described as tight-lipped.
What does tight-lipped mean?
It means unwilling to reveal information or discuss something openly.
Related preposition guides
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