What does “Chinese walls” mean?
"Chinese walls" means a term used to describe the separation between different departments or divisions within a company to prevent the sharing of confidential or sensitive information.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The company implemented Chinese walls to ensure that sensitive client information is protected.
Example
There are strict Chinese walls in place between the investment banking and research departments.
Example
The legal team operates behind Chinese walls to maintain client confidentiality
Is “Chinese walls” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Chinese walls” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Chinese walls” effectively in context?
You can use "Chinese walls" to describe the separation between different departments or divisions within a company to prevent the sharing of confidential or sensitive information. For example, if a company wants to ensure that sensitive client information is protected, they might implement "Chinese walls" between different teams or departments. This ensures that information is kept confidential and only accessible to those who need to know.
- 1Corporate Environment
The company implemented Chinese walls to ensure that sensitive client information is protected.
- 2Finance Industry
There are strict Chinese walls in place between the investment banking and research departments.
- 3Legal Profession
The legal team operates behind Chinese walls to maintain client confidentiality.
Similar phrases to “Chinese walls”:
A security measure that separates and protects computer networks
Example
The company installed a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to their network.
A system or policy that restricts the flow of information between different parts of an organization
Example
The organization has implemented information barriers to prevent conflicts of interest.
Data segregation
The practice of separating and securing data to prevent unauthorized access
Example
The company follows strict data segregation protocols to protect customer information.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Chinese walls” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Chinese walls" is unknown.
Is “Chinese walls” common in everyday conversation?
"Chinese walls" is a relatively common expression in everyday conversation, particularly in corporate and financial contexts. It is frequently used to describe the measures taken to protect sensitive information within an organization.
What tone does “Chinese walls” have?
"Chinese walls" conveys a tone of professionalism and confidentiality. It is often used in a serious and formal manner to emphasize the importance of maintaining privacy and preventing the unauthorized sharing of information.
Can “Chinese walls” be used in informal and formal settings?
"Chinese walls" is a formal expression primarily used in professional settings such as business meetings, legal discussions, and financial institutions. It may not be commonly used in casual conversations.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
"Chinese walls" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The company has implemented Chinese walls to protect sensitive information.' However, in certain contexts, it can be understood even when used alone, such as saying 'We need to establish Chinese walls' to suggest the need for confidentiality measures.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- information barriers
- data segregation
- confidentiality measures
- internal controls
- information partitioning
Antonyms
- collaboration
- transparency
- information sharing
- open communication
- information flow
