to keep it between the ditches
- idiom
- Informal
:
mantenerse dentro de los límites
- As long as you keep it between the ditches, your project will remain on track.
Examples
-
This time he keeps it between the ditches.
Fiction book (1992) -
This time he keeps it between the ditches.
Fiction book (1992) -
During the meeting, we need to keep it between the ditches to avoid discussing sensitive topics.
-
If you keep it between the ditches, you won't run into any trouble with the authorities.
Synonyms
48
3.2
To avoid getting into problems with the police or people in charge
34
4.0
To stay away from people and things that may cause trouble or harm
6
3.9
Act carefully to avoid mistakes, danger, or upsetting others
To act very carefully in a difficult situation to avoid mistakes or offend people
Antonyms
How Safe
42
3.4
- Informal
- Informal
89
4.5
33
7.3
56
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
keep + it + between + the + ditch
The meaning 'remain within safe or acceptable boundaries' is directly derivable from combining 'keep' (maintain) with the spatial preposition 'between' and 'ditches' (edges of a road): literally keeping something between the ditches = staying on the road. This is a straightforward spatial containment/metaphor that follows common compositional logic and is likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
The saying keep it between the ditches comes from the image of driving on a narrow country road with deep ditches at both sides, and if you stay between the ditches you will not fall in. That's why it means 'stay safe' or 'avoid taking risks'.