The phrase “a hidden agenda” refers to an underlying or secret motive that someone has, which is not immediately apparent to others. It suggests that the person has an ulterior purpose or set of intentions that they are not revealing, often for personal gain or to manipulate a situation. This could involve concealed goals, intentions, or strategies that are kept secret, either because they are unethical, self-serving, or because the person doesn’t want others to be aware of their true motives. In Indonesian, a similar expression could be “agenda tersembunyi”, which directly translates to “hidden agenda.”
Synonyms:
- Secret motive
- Ulterior motive
- Hidden purpose
- Concealed intention
- Underlying plan
- Backdoor agenda
- Covert strategy
- Hidden scheme
- Unspoken objective
- Secretive agenda
Example Sentences:
- I think there’s a hidden agenda behind her offer to help. She might want something in return later.
- The politician’s speech sounded great, but I’m sure he has a hidden agenda that we don’t know about.
- They were working together, but it felt like there was a hidden agenda between them that no one was aware of.
- His insistence on the new project raised some questions—there might be a hidden agenda behind it.
- We need to be careful; the company’s sudden interest in the charity might have a hidden agenda.
- She was friendly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had a hidden agenda in this conversation.
- It turned out that the merger was part of a hidden agenda to control more of the market.
- The whole meeting seemed to be a hidden agenda to push through changes without fully explaining them to the team.
- There’s something suspicious about his sudden interest in the organization; he might have a hidden agenda.
- The CEO’s abrupt decisions made me suspect that there was a hidden agenda behind his actions.
Related Words:
- Deception
- Manipulation
- Strategy
- Secretive
- Conspiracy
- Intentions
- Trickery
- Subterfuge
- Disguise
- Misdirection
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Hide one’s true intentions (to conceal one’s actual motives or agenda, much like having a hidden agenda)
- Keep something under wraps (to keep something secret or undisclosed, similar to a hidden agenda)
- Pull the strings (to control or manipulate something behind the scenes, often with a hidden agenda)
- Play someone for a fool (to deceive or manipulate someone into unknowingly supporting a hidden agenda)
- Be in the dark (to remain unaware of the true situation or hidden motives, like being unaware of a hidden agenda)
- Work behind the scenes (to operate secretly or without public knowledge, as one might when pursuing a hidden agenda)
- Lay the groundwork (to secretly prepare or plan something, potentially with a hidden agenda)
- Keep someone in the loop (to provide information, while deliberately withholding the full truth, often related to a hidden agenda)
- Cover up (to conceal the truth or hide something, often because of a hidden agenda)
- Make a play for (to pursue something or someone with an undisclosed motive, often involving a hidden agenda)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Pull the wool over someone’s eyes (to deceive or trick someone, often to hide one’s true intentions, like having a hidden agenda)
- Bury the truth (to hide or suppress the real facts, similar to hiding a hidden agenda)
- Behind closed doors (referring to actions or decisions made in secret, which might involve a hidden agenda)
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing (someone who pretends to be harmless while actually having a hidden agenda)
- On the sly (doing something secretly or sneakily, much like pursuing a hidden agenda)
- Smoke and mirrors (a deceptive scheme or illusion to mislead others, often involving a hidden agenda)
- The plot thickens (used when things become more complicated or suspicious, often indicating a hidden agenda)
- A game of chess (to manipulate others or make strategic moves in a situation, similar to advancing a hidden agenda)
- On the down low (doing something secretly or quietly, akin to keeping a hidden agenda hidden)
- The cat’s out of the bag (when a secret or hidden agenda is revealed, often unexpectedly)
“A hidden agenda” reflects the notion that people or organizations sometimes have ulterior motives that aren’t immediately obvious, which can lead to a sense of distrust or suspicion. It’s a reminder to always question not just what is said, but what may be concealed beneath the surface. Recognizing a hidden agenda often requires a keen awareness of subtle cues or patterns in behavior that might point to something more than what is being presented.
