to keep one's plans or intentions secret
garder ses projets ou intentions secrets (garder ses projets ou intentions secrets)
"During the negotiations, she kept her cards close to the chest."
"Lors des négociations, elle garda ses cartes près de la poitrine." (Lors des négociations, elle garda ses cartes près de la poitrine)
a student who is favored by the teacher
to relax or slow down the pace of something
to flatter someone to gain favor
to start thinking seriously about solving a problem
to manage to stay alive or survive
to go from a bad situation to a worse one