under wraps

verb (used with object), wrapped or wrapt, wrap·ping.

1. to enclose in something wound or folded about (often followed by up): She wrapped her head in a scarf.
2. to enclose and make fast (an article, bundle, etc.) within a covering of paper or the like (often followed by up): He wrapped the package up in brown paper.
3. to wind, fold, or bind (something) about as a covering.
4. to protect with coverings, outer garments, etc. (usually followed by up).
5. to cover (fingernails) with a sheer silk or linen fabric, as to repair or strengthen them.
6. to surround, envelop, shroud, or hide.
7. to fold or roll up.
8. Movies, Television. to finish the filming of (a motion picture).

verb (used without object), wrapped or wrapt, wrap·ping.

9. to wrap oneself (usually followed by up).
10. to become wrapped, as about something; fold.
11. Movies, Television. to complete the filming of a motion picture: We hope to wrap in time for Christmas.

noun

12. something to be wrapped about the person, especially in addition to the usual indoor clothing, as a shawl, scarf, or sweater: an evening wrap.
13. a beauty treatment in which a part or all of the body is covered with cream, lotion, herbs, or the like and then wrapped snugly with cloth.
14. a sheer silk or linen fabric glued to the fingernails to repair or strengthen them.
15. a piece of thin, flat bread wrapped around a filling and eaten as a sandwich.
16. Movies, Television.
    1. the completion of photography on a film or an individual scene.
    2. the termination of a working day during the shooting of a film.

adjective

17. wraparound in style: a wrap skirt.

Verb Phrases

18. wrap up, to conclude; finish work on: to wrap up a project.

Idioms

19. under wraps, Informal. secret: The army wants this research project kept under wraps.
20. wrapped up in,
    1. intensely absorbed in: wrapped up in one’s work.
    2. involved in; bound up with: Peace is wrapped up in willingness to compromise.

verb wraps, wrapping or wrapped (mainly tr)

1. to fold or wind (paper, cloth, etc) around (a person or thing) so as to cover
2. (often foll by up) to fold paper, etc, around to fasten securely
3. to surround or conceal by surrounding
4. to enclose, immerse, or absorbwrapped in sorrow
5. to fold, wind, or roll up
6. (intr; often foll by about, around, etc) to be or become wound or extended
7. to complete the filming of (a motion picture or television programme)
8. Also called: rap (often foll by up) Australian informal to praise (someone)

noun

9. a garment worn wrapped around the body, esp the shoulders, such as a shawl or cloak
10. short for wrapround (def. 5)
11. a type of sandwich consisting of a tortilla wrapped round a filling
12. mainly US wrapping or a wrapper
13. British slang a small package of an illegal drug in powder forma wrap of heroin
14. Also called: rap Australian informal a commendation
15. 1. the end of a working day during the filming of a motion picture or television programme
    2. the completion of filming of a motion picture or television programme
16. keep under wraps to keep secret
17. take the wraps off to reveal

v.early 14c., wrappen, of uncertain etymology, perhaps via Scandinavian (cf. Danish dialectal vravle “to wind”), ultimately from PIE *werp- “to turn, wind” (cf. Greek rhaptein “to sew”), from root *wer- (3) “to turn, bend” (see versus). Related: Wrapped; wrapping. n.late 15c., “fine cloth used as a cover or wrapping for bread,” from wrap (v.). As a type of women’s garment, recorded from 1827. Meaning “end of a filming session” is attested from 1974. Figurative phrase under wraps “in concealment” is recorded from 1939. Concealed or secret, as in The design for the new plant is under wraps. This idiom frequently is put as keep under wraps, meaning “keep secret,” as in Let’s keep this theory under wraps until we’ve tested it sufficiently. It alludes to covering something completely by wrapping it up. [1930s] In addition to the idiom beginning with wrap

wrap up

also see:

twist (wrap) around one’s finger

under wraps