keep myself in check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keep myself in check' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English
You can use it when you want to express that you are trying to prevent yourself from doing or saying something that could be seen as inappropriate or unhelpful. For example, "I'm trying to keep myself in check, so I can remain patient during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Informal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Just try to keep myself in check and just try to keep my heart rate down".

The New York Times - Sports

The club have told me to wind up the opposition, but I have to keep myself in check".

The Guardian - Sport

When my belief in the capacity of powerful institutions to exercise basic good sense simply overflows, I read Ministry of Defence press releases to keep myself in check.

Independent

I think it really helps to keep myself in check, making sure I'm the same player and I'm the same person, because it doesn't really have to change".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm going to talk about my fight against Twitter and my failing productivity, the apps and systems with which I've tried to keep myself in check and the psychology behind why we build an aversion against getting things done.

TechCrunch

Emotionally, I try to keep myself in check.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I kept myself in check: no more feminine gestures, no more honeyed voice, no more hanging around women.

The New York Times

I kept myself in check by remembering how difficult it had been for the real fugitive, my grandfather.

The Guardian

Just in case, to hold myself in check, I keep a couple of pairs of jeans around like loaded guns that I eye warily, knowing that at any moment I could disturb my equilibrium by trying to pull them on.

The New York Times

They keep noise in check.

The New York Times - Food

Tie in to keep it in check.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the reflexive pronoun (myself, himself, herself, themselves) always matches the subject of the sentence

Common error

Do not confuse "keep myself in check" with "keep myself in check with". The latter is rarely used and often incorrect unless you are referring to cross-referencing information with oneself. Stick to the standard idiomatic form to express self-restraint.

Linguistic Context

The function of "keep myself in check" is that of an idiomatic verb phrase that describes the process of self-regulation or internal restraint. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically correct and widely used in personal narratives to signal self-awareness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Informal

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep myself in check" is a robust idiomatic expression used to describe the act of self-monitoring or restraining one's impulses. Ludwig's data confirms its high frequency in reputable news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, often appearing in contexts of sports, mental health, and professional conduct. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a versatile tool for writers wanting to convey internal discipline or emotional management effectively across different media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control myself

A more direct and common way to express self-mastery

keep myself in line

Implies adherence to a set of rules or social standards

restrain myself

Suggests a more forceful or physical sense of holding back an action

curb my impulses

Focuses specifically on stopping sudden or instinctive urges

monitor my behavior

Uses a more analytical and observational tone

hold myself back

Emphasizes the act of hesitation or preventing oneself from advancing

contain myself

Often used specifically to describe the suppression of strong emotions like laughter or excitement

regulate my emotions

A more formal and psychological term for emotional management

check my ego

Specifically targets arrogance or overconfidence rather than general behavior

keep a lid on it

An informal idiom meaning to keep something under control or secret

FAQs

How do I use "keep myself in check" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe self-regulation, for example: "I had to keep myself in check during the meeting so I wouldn't lose my temper."

What can I say instead of "keep myself in check"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/restrain+myself" target="_blank" rel="alternative">restrain myself", "<a href="/s/keep+myself+in+line" target="_blank" rel="alternative">keep myself in line", or "<a href="/s/monitor+my+behavior" target="_blank" rel="alternative">monitor my behavior".

Is "keep myself in check" formal enough for a resume?

While it is a correct phrase, it is slightly idiomatic. For a more professional resume or cover letter, consider using "<a href="/s/self-regulated" target="_blank" rel="alternative">self-regulated" or "maintained professional composure".

What is the difference between "keep myself in check" and "contain myself"?

The phrase "keep myself in check" usually refers to long-term discipline or moderating behavior, whereas "<a href="/s/contain+myself" target="_blank" rel="alternative">contain myself" typically refers to a momentary struggle to suppress a visible burst of emotion like laughter or joy.