Mum’s the word! Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Secrecy Emphasis Emphasizes the need for secrecy about a specific piece of information. You know the surprise party for Lisa? Mum’s the word until her birthday! Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Phrase Originally British, but understood in various English-speaking cultures. So you've seen the unpublished manuscript? Mum’s the word, mate! Pro Tip 3/3Informal Setting Used in casual or informal conversations, not in formal ones. I snuck a cookie from the jar—mum’s the word, okay?