keep a lid on

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep a lid on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to keep a situation under control or to keep something secret. For example, "The CEO asked us to keep a lid on the company's financial problems until they can be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nuno was trying to keep a lid on the euphoria.

The Guardian - Sport

"You can't keep a lid on everything," said the coach.

The New York Times - Sports

"My job is to keep a lid on the place.

The New York Times

Europe's stagnant economy continued to keep a lid on prices.

The New York Times

JEAN KNAACK couldn't keep a lid on it.

The New York Times - Health

There's no way to keep a lid on it.

The New York Times - Sports

Too much, economists fear, to keep a lid on inflation.

The New York Times

The Castro government has tried to keep a lid on innovation in other ways, too.

The New York Times

"That wet period helped keep a lid on fires," Dr. Allen said.

The New York Times

There is another reason to keep a lid on the price: Facebook's experience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His goal was to capture smaller moves and keep a lid on losses.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep a lid on" when you want to convey the idea of managing sensitive information or controlling potentially volatile situations. It's suitable for contexts where discretion and restraint are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "keep a lid on" in very informal conversations or situations where a more direct or casual expression would be more appropriate. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "keep it quiet" or "don't tell anyone."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep a lid on" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase. It signifies the act of controlling something to prevent it from escalating or becoming public, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep a lid on" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express the idea of controlling a situation or suppressing information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings and should be used judiciously in more formal or academic writing. Alternatives such as "control the situation" or "keep under wraps" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a tight rein on

Suggests exercising firm control over something or someone.

keep under wraps

Suggests maintaining secrecy or confidentiality about something.

contain the problem

Emphasizes limiting the spread or impact of an issue.

control the situation

Focuses on managing and directing events to prevent escalation.

manage to control

Similar to control, but includes the aspect of being successful in controlling.

suppress information

Highlights the act of preventing information from becoming public.

keep quiet about

Focuses on maintaining silence or avoiding discussion on a topic.

stifle dissent

Emphasizes suppressing opposition or disagreement.

curb enthusiasm

Refers to restraining excitement or exuberance.

hold back the tide

Illustrates an effort to restrain a powerful or overwhelming force.

FAQs

How can I use "keep a lid on" in a sentence?

You can use "keep a lid on" to describe controlling a situation or maintaining secrecy. For example, "The government is trying to keep a lid on the unemployment figures" or "We need to keep a lid on this project until we're ready to announce it".

What are some alternatives to "keep a lid on"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "control the situation", "keep under wraps", or "contain the problem".

Is "keep a lid on" formal or informal?

"Keep a lid on" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. It is suitable for most news and media contexts, but might be too informal for academic writing. Use your best judgment.

When is it inappropriate to use "keep a lid on"?

Avoid using "keep a lid on" in situations where complete transparency is expected or required. Also, consider whether a more direct or formal phrase would be more appropriate in professional settings.