Keep me down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep me down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expressing a desire to remain humble, restrained, or not to be elevated in status or mood. Example: "Even after winning the award, I want to stay grounded and keep me down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I can't let that keep me down".

The New York Times

"Not even their nets could keep me down".

The New York Times

My proud thoughts had served to keep me down in that trench without asking for relief.

The New Yorker

You're never going to keep me down," played at Yankee Stadium, Steinbrenner swayed his head and tapped his hand on the table, all to the beat.

The New York Times - Sports

"But how does it benefit society to keep me down in this way?" Things turned out better for Cecil Taylor, who had been convicted of driving drunk and whose college art teacher came to speak of his potential.

The New York Times

Until recently Grimsby Town FC adopted the chorus of Chumbawamba's rollicking song Tubthumping as its theme song: "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He also keeps me down to earth.

Independent

My alcoholic beverage intake will no longer be constrained by that nagging "this will make you die" vibe that has kept me down for so long.

Huffington Post

I spend so much time thinking about body image and how the man keeps me down, so shouldn't I be all for sisterhood and junk?

Huffington Post

"There were a lot of pretty girls in Mexico, and I've got blue eyes," he said, "so that kept me down there".

The New York Times - Sports

Consequently, I was regularly pulled under by nauseating bouts of "the never enoughs". Predictable as a carousel, they spun me backward and kept me down.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep me down" when you want to express that you don't want to be arrogant or overconfident, even in times of success. This conveys humility and a desire to stay grounded.

Common error

Avoid using "keep me down" to describe systemic oppression when more precise language about inequality or discrimination would be more accurate and impactful. Using the phrase in this context might dilute the severity of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Keep me down" functions as an imperative request or expression of desire. It's a way of asking others to help maintain humility or prevent arrogance, as supported by Ludwig's examples. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

HuffPost

25%

The New York Times

13%

Less common in

BBC

2%

Forbes

2%

Independent

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Keep me down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that seeks to maintain humility and prevent arrogance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in English. Predominantly found in News & Media and personal reflections, it asks for support in staying grounded, particularly during times of success. While versatile, it's important to consider context and avoid misinterpretations; synonyms like "hold me back" or "keep me grounded" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember, using the phrase effectively involves understanding its purpose – a request for accountability and a commitment to staying connected to reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hold me back

Implies preventing someone from progressing or achieving something.

Keep me grounded

Focuses on maintaining a realistic and humble perspective.

Keep my feet on the ground

Similar to "keep me grounded", emphasizing stability and realism.

Don't let me get carried away

Asks for help in preventing overenthusiasm or arrogance.

Bring me back to earth

Suggests a need to return to reality after a period of excitement or delusion.

Keep me in check

Implies a need for monitoring and control to prevent undesirable behavior.

Don't allow me to become arrogant

Specifically addresses the prevention of developing an overly proud attitude.

Don't let me lose sight of reality

Focuses on preventing a disconnection from the actual circumstances.

Hold me to account

Asks for someone to ensure responsibility and prevent mistakes.

Remind me of my limitations

Suggests a need for someone to point out areas where improvement is needed.

FAQs

How can I use "Keep me down" in a sentence?

You can use "Keep me down" to express a desire for humility or to avoid arrogance, such as, "My family and friends all "keep me down" on the ground, and if ever I strayed from there and got a little bit too big for my boots I'm sure my parents would have something to say".

What does "Keep me down" mean?

"Keep me down" typically means to prevent someone from becoming arrogant, overconfident, or losing touch with reality. It's often used as a request for others to provide a reality check.

What's a more formal alternative to "Keep me down"?

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "hold me accountable" or "keep me grounded" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "Keep me down"?

Yes, "Keep me down" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, as supported by numerous examples. It is a valid phrase for expressing a desire to maintain humility or prevent overconfidence.