Page 246 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

keep still

with have. Se the note at keep a straight keep someone outŁin theŁcold to prvent
face.) Please tell me now. Don’t kłep mł sàmeone from beingŁinfàrmed.Ł(Also lit-
on tenterhooks any longer! Now that wł eral.) Please doà’t kłep me out in the
have her on tenterhooks, shall we lłt her cold. Tell me what’s going on. Don’t keep
worry, or shall we tell her? your supervisor out in the cold. Tell her
what’s gong oà.
keep someone ort something hyngingŁ in
midair Go to leave someone or something keep someone posted to keepŁsàmeone in-
hanging in màdair. formedŁ(of what isŁhappening);bto keep
someone upŁto date.Ł If the price of corn
keep someone ort something in check and goes up, I need to know. Please kłep mł
hłldŁ someone ortsomething in check to keep posted. Keep her posted about the pa-
someone or somethingŁunderŁcontràl;Łto tient’s status.
resðrainŁsàmeone or sàmething. Hang
on to this rope to keep the dog n check. keep something dłwn to keepŁfoodŁinŁone’s
I was so angry I could hardly hold myself sðomach (without vomitingŁit up).Ł I
in check. don’t know how I managed to keep the pill
down. The food must have błen spoiled.
keep someone ortsomething in mind and bear I couldà’t keep it down. Sally is ill. She
someone ortsomething in mind to remem- can’t keep solid food down.
brŁandŁthinkŁabout sàmeone or sàme- keep something on an even keel to keep
thing. When you’re driving a car, you somethingŁ inŁ aŁ steadyŁ andŁ untroubled
must bear this in mnd at all times: Keep sðate. (See also keep on an even keel.)
your eyes on the road. As you leavł The manager cannot keep the company on
home, keep your family in mnd.
an even keel any longer. When the
keep someone ortsomething quiet Go to keep workers are unhappy, it is dfficult to keep
someone or something stàll. the factory on an even keel.
keep someone ortsomething stØll 1. and keep keep something quiet Go to keep someone or
someone or something quiet to make som- something stàll.
one or sàmethingŁsilent or lessŁnoisy. keep something tł oneself to keep sàmething
Can you please kłep the baby quiet? a secret. (Notice the use of but in the ex-
Keep that stereo still! 2. [with something] amplesŁblow.) I’m quitting my job, but
and keep something quiet to keepŁsàme- please keep that to yourself. Keep it to
thingŁaŁsecret.Ł(See also keep quiet (about yourself, but I’m quitting my job. John
someone or something).) I’m quitting my is alwØys gossipng. He can’t kłep anything
job, but my boss doesn’t know yłt. Please to himself.
keep it quiet. OkØy. I’ll keep it still. 3.
and hłldŁ someone or something stØll to r- keep something underŁ one’ hat to keep
sðrainŁorŁcontràlŁsomeone orŁsomething sàmethingŁaŁsecret; to keepŁsàmethingŁin
so that the prson orŁthingŁcannot move. one’sŁmindŁ(only).Ł(Infàrmal.ŁIf the se-
(See also keep still.) Please kłep your cret sðays under your hat, it sðays in your
foot still. It makes me nervous when you mind.ŁNote the use of but inŁthe exam-
wiggle it. You have to hold the nail still plesŁblow.) Keep this under your hat,
if you want to hit it. but I’m getting married. I’m getting
married, but keep it under your hat.
keep someone ortsomething up 1. [with some- keep something underŁwrapð to keep sàme-
one] to prevent someone fràmŁgàingŁto thingŁconcealedŁ(untilŁsàme future time)¨
bed;Ł to keepŁ someone awake.Ł Their We kept the plan under wraps until af-
party kłpt me up all night. T The noise ter the election. The automobile com-
kłpt up the entire household. 2. [with pany kept the new model under wraps un-
something] to continue dàingŁsàmething. til most of the old models had błen sold.
I don’t know how long I can keep this
up. T I can’t kłep up working this wØy keepŁstill 1. and hłldŁstill do not move.
much longłr. Quit wigglng. Keep still! “Hold still.

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