keep it realistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it realistic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to maintain a practical or sensible approach in their ideas or expectations. Example: "When planning your budget, make sure to keep it realistic to avoid overspending."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Be careful to keep it realistic and not too costume-looking.

Huffington Post

Keep it realistic.

WikiHow

Also keep it realistic.

WikiHow

For the walls, keep it realistic.

WikiHow

Plan each grade level that same way: Keep it realistic.

WikiHow

Shoot for your dreams, but be honest with yourself and keep it realistic.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We made short and long term projections, we kept it realistic, but the key thing is that we wrote it down, which is as important as visualization in realizing success". To me, this shows the importance of writing down your goals and objectives.

Forbes

"That was probably the biggest overall challenge — we'd done a shrinking movie already, so we played with variable size while trying to keep it photo realistic".

TechCrunch

We like to keep it somewhat realistic.

Huffington Post

Every step of the way we were careful to keep it grounded, and realistic.

Huffington Post

Give yourself a certain amount of time to do each task but remember not to go overboard with time; keep it reasonable and realistic with how much time you need.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting goals, "keep it realistic" by assessing available resources and potential obstacles to ensure the goals are achievable.

Common error

Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. When using the phrase "keep it realistic", ensure you're not ignoring potential challenges or overestimating your capabilities, which can lead to disappointment and failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it realistic" functions as an imperative, giving a directive or piece of advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. This imperative mood is used to encourage someone to maintain a practical perspective or set achievable expectations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

57%

News & Media

43%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep it realistic" is a grammatically correct and usable imperative phrase advising practicality and sensibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, predominantly in Wiki and News & Media. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, its message is clear: maintain achievable expectations. When using "keep it realistic", remember to balance ambition with feasibility, considering potential challenges and available resources. Related phrases include "stay grounded" and "be practical", offering similar guidance in different tones. By keeping expectations in check, the phrase serves as a valuable tool for pragmatic planning and goal setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay grounded

Focuses more on maintaining a stable and practical perspective.

be practical

Directly emphasizes the need for a pragmatic approach.

be sensible

Highlights the importance of making reasonable decisions.

be down to earth

Suggests maintaining a simple and realistic outlook.

be pragmatic

Emphasizes a focus on practical results and solutions.

keep expectations low

Focuses on lowering anticipations to avoid disappointment.

be level-headed

Suggests maintaining composure and rationality.

manage expectations

Focuses on controlling and adjusting expectations.

remain objective

Highlights the importance of unbiased judgment.

think practically

Emphasizes the act of considering practical aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "keep it realistic" in a sentence?

You can use "keep it realistic" to advise someone to have practical expectations, such as, "When planning your budget, you need to "keep it realistic"."

What does "keep it realistic" mean?

The phrase "keep it realistic" means to maintain a practical and sensible approach, especially when making plans or setting goals. It advises against being overly optimistic or setting unattainable targets.

What are some alternatives to "keep it realistic"?

Some alternatives to "keep it realistic" include "stay grounded", "be practical", or "be sensible", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "keep it realistic"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "keep it realistic" when advising someone to consider the limitations and practicalities of a situation, ensuring their expectations and plans are achievable and reasonable.