riddle wrapped up in an enigma

English

Etymology

A form of Winston Churchill's quotation, made in a radio broadcast in October 1939:

  • "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest."

Noun

a riddle wrapped up in an enigma

  1. (idiomatic) Something very mysterious and hidden.

References

  • “The meaning and origin of the expression: A riddle wrapped up in an enigma”, in (Please provide the title of the work)‎, phrases.org.uk, 17 March 2009, retrieved 13 March 2017
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