keep it respectable

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep it respectable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to encourage maintaining a level of decorum or propriety. Example: "During the debate, let's keep it respectable and avoid personal attacks." Alternative expressions include "maintain decorum" and "stay civil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But to stay open, they also need to keep it respectable.

The New York Times

"You could see that even when he was missing the cut he was trying ever so hard to get back inside the cut and even when he had gone too far he was still trying to keep it respectable or whatever.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a tough decision whether to shut up shop and keep it respectable or keep trying to play and take the initiative.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Putin's purpose is not so much to stamp it out as to keep it hidden from respectable eyes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're not trying to report on, like, 'Oh, and Justin Bieber got drunk and tweeted this picture last night.' We're really staying away from that stuff – we're trying to keep it a real, respectable news outlet".

The New York Times

You felt, 'Hey, we can keep it close, make it respectable, then we did our job.' But we came out and we wanted to win this game, and that showed".

The New York Times

Contrary to its notoriety as a south of the Thames Sodom and Gomorrah, its entrance fee and a dress code kept it relatively respectable.

The Guardian - Books

This club is a respectable club and I want to keep it like that," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Even when there were a few drunks, they were respectable – they kept it to themselves, you know".

Vice

Although it has now joined Love's Last Shift as a forgotten curiosity, it kept a respectable critical reputation into the 20th century, coming in for serious discussion both as an interesting example of doublethink, and as somewhat morally or emotionally insightful.

Wikipedia

Do we think, more than that, that we, and what our country does, remains invisible, if only we can keep enough respectable people from pointing at it?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep it respectable", consider the context and ensure that the phrase aligns with the overall tone of your communication. It's suitable for situations where maintaining a certain level of decorum or propriety is important.

Common error

Avoid using "keep it respectable" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "maintain decorum" or "uphold standards" to align with the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it respectable" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to maintain a certain standard of behavior or appearance. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is mostly used for encouraging decorum. Examples from Ludwig show it's used to maintain standards in various situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep it respectable" is a grammatically correct imperative urging the maintenance of decorum or propriety. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage, while correct, is not overly common, leaning towards neutral formality. It's primarily found in News & Media contexts, with related alternatives including "maintain decorum" and "uphold standards". While effective for encouraging appropriate behavior, consider more sophisticated alternatives in formal settings. Keep in mind that a balanced word choice, depending on the context, can significantly improve your writing impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain decorum

Focuses specifically on upholding appropriate behavior and conduct in a formal setting.

keep things appropriate

Ensuring actions and words align with expected standards of suitability.

uphold standards

Emphasizes adherence to established benchmarks or expectations.

maintain standards

Similar to upholding standards, but with a focus on continuous maintenance.

ensure propriety

Highlights the need to adhere to established rules and customs.

preserve appearances

Prioritizes maintaining a positive public image, often regardless of underlying realities.

keep things decent

Focuses on ensuring that actions and environments remain within morally acceptable bounds.

stay civil

Highlights the importance of polite and respectful interaction, particularly in potentially contentious situations.

remain proper

Focuses on adhering to conventional standards of etiquette and behavior.

keep it classy

Emphasizes maintaining elegance and sophistication in behavior and style.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep it respectable" in various contexts, such as encouraging civil discourse during a debate or maintaining a professional environment. For example, "During the meeting, let's "keep it respectable" and focus on the issues."

What are some alternatives to "keep it respectable"?

Alternatives include "maintain decorum", "uphold standards", or "stay civil", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keep it respectable" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "keep it respectable" may be too informal for certain formal writing contexts. Consider using alternatives like "maintain decorum" or "ensure propriety" for a more sophisticated tone.

What does it mean to "keep it respectable"?

To "keep it respectable" means to maintain a level of decorum, propriety, or dignity in a given situation or environment. It implies avoiding actions or behaviors that could be considered offensive, inappropriate, or undignified.