keep a lid on it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep a lid on it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express the idea of controlling or suppressing something, often information or emotions. Example: "She tried to keep a lid on it, but her excitement was too much to contain." Alternative expressions include "keep it under wraps" and "keep it quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

You might have thought that Spain would be trying to keep a lid on it after its fans were exposed for taunting black athletes with bananas.

Vice

JEAN KNAACK couldn't keep a lid on it.

The New York Times - Health

In other words, "You keep a lid on it".

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Sports

But this year, in the away match, Watson said he will keep a lid on it.

Independent

"Other people hype the game up," he says, "we've just got to keep a lid on it".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Speaking of strings, one of the reasons GM just can't wait to get rid of the yoke of government oppression is that Uncle Sam is forcing it to keep a lid on its executive compensation and purchase of corporate jets, the New York Times writes.

Huffington Post

"I read things on forums where blame was being apportioned, but the higher leadership has kept a lid on it".

Independent

But it has become a wellspring of Arab extremism, although the ruling Saud family has kept a lid on it so far.

The New York Times

Is the ease of the Internet culture — this case helped push Craigslist to change its policies on erotic services — leading people to indulge their criminal side when they might, in the old days, have kept a lid on it?

The New York Times - Arts

After all, I wouldn't always be working as a nude figure model for art department classes in college, and one never knows what job they'll pursue after graduation, so shouldn't I have kept a lid on it instead of publishing nonfiction pieces with first sentences like "I am accustomed, now, to being in a room with seven men who are drawing my pubic hair"?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep a lid on it", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of control or concealment. It is suitable for situations where preventing information or emotions from becoming public is necessary.

Common error

While "keep a lid on it" is a useful idiom, avoid overusing it in your writing. Over-reliance on idioms can make your writing sound repetitive or clichéd. Use it judiciously and consider alternative expressions to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "keep a lid on it" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to express the action of controlling, suppressing, or concealing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep a lid on it" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that conveys the idea of controlling, suppressing, or concealing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in News & Media. When writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required. While "keep a lid on it" is suitable for neutral to informal contexts, more formal situations may call for alternatives such as "suppress it" or "contain it". Avoid overusing the idiom to maintain variety and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suppress it

Directly indicates an effort to prevent something from being expressed or known.

contain it

Emphasizes the act of preventing something from spreading or escalating.

control it

Focuses on maintaining power or influence over something to prevent unwanted outcomes.

conceal it

Highlights the effort to hide something from view or knowledge.

hide it

A simpler, more direct way to say "conceal it".

cover it up

Suggests an attempt to disguise or obscure something, often to avoid embarrassment or scandal.

keep it under wraps

Implies maintaining secrecy or confidentiality about something.

keep it quiet

Focuses on preventing information from becoming widely known or discussed.

muzzle it

Implies silencing or preventing someone from speaking out.

clamp down on it

Suggests a forceful and authoritarian effort to suppress something.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep a lid on it" when you want to express the idea of controlling or suppressing something, often information or emotions. For example: "The government is trying to "keep a lid on it" to prevent panic."

What can I say instead of "keep a lid on it"?

You can use alternatives like "suppress it", "contain it", or "conceal it" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "keep a lid on it" and "cover it up"?

"Keep a lid on it" generally means to control or suppress something, while "cover it up" implies actively concealing something, often a mistake or wrongdoing.

Is "keep a lid on it" formal or informal?

"Keep a lid on it" is generally considered an informal or neutral expression, suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "suppress it" or "control it".