keep him in check

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep him in check" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to controlling or restraining someone's behavior or actions. Example: "She needed to keep him in check during the meeting to prevent any disruptions." Alternative expressions include "keep him under control" and "restrain him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

This is the grown up assistant the Time Lord needs to keep him in check.

Independent

Luckily he has Gina, his even more brilliant supervisor, to keep him in check.

The Guardian - Film

We've got to keep him in check and hope that affects the rest of their players".

The New York Times - Sports

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, from a Nottingham comprehensive, has six musician siblings to keep him in check.

The Guardian - Music

Would he have fancied himself as Buzz, in guileless pursuit of the infinite, with only the Woodyish Roy to keep him in check?

The New Yorker

River can't get away with anything because a manifest is always there, for good or bad, to keep him in check.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

All this doubtless keeps him in check.

The Economist

"Some of the people who kept him in check are future Hall of Famers," Cashman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Salonen kept him in check as much as he was able.

The Guardian - Music

Anyway, he said, his wife, Pojamarn, a general's daughter and businesswoman, always keeps him in check.

The New York Times

Wall had 16 points and 6 assists, but the Knicks kept him in check and never let the Wizards run away in transition.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep him in check" when you want to convey the idea of preventing someone from behaving inappropriately or exceeding reasonable limits. It's useful in situations where a person has a tendency to be impulsive, reckless, or otherwise needs to be controlled.

Common error

Avoid using "keep him in check" when the desired outcome is simply to influence someone's decision, rather than controlling their behavior. In such cases, using persuasive communication is much better than implying they need to be controlled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep him in check" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's a verb phrase that describes the action of controlling or restraining someone's behavior. Ludwig AI shows that it's commonly used to indicate preventing someone from acting impulsively or inappropriately.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep him in check" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of controlling or restraining someone's behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase suggests a need for vigilance to prevent impulsive or inappropriate actions. While alternatives like "keep him under control" and "hold him accountable" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance and formality. Remember to employ it when you want to convey preventing excesses rather than influencing decisions, and be mindful of maintaining a neutral to professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep him under control

Emphasizes maintaining overall command or management of the person's actions.

hold him accountable

Focuses on making him responsible for his actions and their consequences.

curb his excesses

Specifically targets limiting his overindulgences or extreme behaviors.

rein him in

Suggests a need to pull him back from impulsive or reckless actions.

moderate his behavior

Implies gently adjusting his actions to be more reasonable or acceptable.

restrain him

Highlights physically or figuratively limiting his freedom of action.

keep him within bounds

Focuses on ensuring his actions stay within acceptable limits or rules.

place limits on him

Directly imposes restrictions on his activities or choices.

supervise his activities

Implies monitoring his actions to ensure compliance and prevent issues.

police his actions

Suggests a more forceful and vigilant oversight of his behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "keep him in check" in a sentence?

You can use "keep him in check" to describe actions taken to control someone's behavior. For example, "His wife had to keep him in check at the party because he tends to drink too much".

What does "keep him in check" mean?

The phrase "keep him in check" means to control or restrain someone's actions or behavior, preventing them from doing something undesirable or exceeding acceptable limits. It implies a need for oversight to maintain order or prevent negative consequences.

Which is correct, "keep him in check" or "keep him under control"?

Both "keep him in check" and "keep him under control" are correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to express. "Keep him in check" often implies preventing specific undesirable behaviors, while "keep him under control" suggests a more general management of actions.

Are there any formal alternatives to "keep him in check"?

While "keep him in check" is suitable for many situations, more formal alternatives include "hold him accountable", "supervise his activities", or "moderate his behavior". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.