english
1
general::
Phrase(s): in private privately; without others present. • I’d like to speak to you in private. • I enjoy spending the evening in private.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Not in public; secretly, confidentially. For example, The hearings will be conducted in private, or May I speak to you in private? [Late 1500s] For an antonym, see IN PUBLIC.
American Heritage Idioms