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Glite Dictionary
to keep a lid on

to keep a lid on

16 5.0
To control something so it does not grow or become known
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : mantener a raya
  • We've gotta keep a lid on this.
  • try to keep a lid on
  • want to keep a lid on
  • keep a lid on things

Gentle praise will go a lot further than wildly enthusiastic gushing to keep a lid on your enthusiasm and play it cool.

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Examples

Synonyms

to contain
vsto keep a lid on
388 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

focuses on preventing information or effects becoming known rather than physical spread
to suppress
vsto keep a lid on
176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

aims to prevent spread or discovery rather than ending something by force
to keep one's mouth shut
vsto keep a lid on
  • Informal
116 5.6

To say nothing to avoid trouble or keep a secret

operates by controlling the issue itself rather than only staying silent
to stifle
vsto keep a lid on
49 5.3

To hold back a feeling or reaction so it does not show

is broader and includes preventing exposure or loss of control, not only emotions
to repress
vsto keep a lid on
12 6.1

Stop a process or action from happening

focuses on preventing spread or discovery rather than only blocking development
to put a lid on
vsto keep a lid on
  • US
9 6.4

To stop something from continuing or becoming known

holds something under control to stop spread or prevent discovery
to call a lid
vsto keep a lid on
  • UK
8.4

To stop a meeting or discussion

manages it to prevent spread or public exposure rather than ending it

Antonyms

to reveal
∞ 2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

to let out
32 3.7

Tell secret or private information to other people

How Controlled

to suppress
176 4.8
to keep a lid on
  • Informal
16 5.0
to limit
∞ 2.1
to allow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

keep a lid on infinitive

Morphology

keep + a + lid + on

The image of placing a lid on something to keep it contained aligns well with the sense 'to control or suppress', so a learner who knows 'keep' and 'lid' can often infer the general idea. However, the idiomatic usage (especially the particle 'on' and application to abstract things like secrets or emotions) is somewhat metaphorical and context-dependent, so the exact meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase keep a lid on probably comes from the image of putting a lid on a cooking pot to stop it boiling over or steam from escaping. So, 'to keep a lid on' something means 'to control it' or 'to stop it from getting out'.