Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell (DADT)
An open-relationship style where outside connections are permitted but details are intentionally not shared between primary partners.
What This Really Means
DADT can reduce triggers for some people, but it can also create ambiguity if “privacy” becomes “secrecy.” It works best with clear rules: what must be disclosed (health/safety), what stays private, and how consent is maintained.
In geo-diverse contexts, DADT sometimes overlaps with discretion needs; the key is that both partners freely agree.
Examples
Partners allow outside sex but don’t share details
Disclosure only for safer-sex updates
A couple avoids specifics to protect emotional stability.
Common Misunderstandings
Tap each myth to reveal the reality
DADT can feel like automatically dishonest sometimes, but Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell (DADT) refers to an open-relationship style where outside connections are permitted but details are intentionally not shared between primary partners.
Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell (DADT) doesn’t automatically mean anything goes, and context still matters.
Jealousy doesn’t prove love, and it can signal insecurity or threat.
Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell (DADT) differs from cheating, and it refers to an open-relationship style where outside connections are permitted but details are intentionally not shared between primary partners.
Related Terms
Tags
Inside LoveIQ
We identify patterns related to Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell (DADT) by analyzing responses in our assessment modules, helping you understand your unique relationship dynamics.
Sample visualization of a gap metric.
“You don't need to label yourself. These terms help describe patterns — not define you.”
Return to Glossary Index