keep them shut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep them shut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to remain silent or not to speak about a particular topic. Example: "In sensitive situations, it's often best to keep them shut to avoid unnecessary conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A nearby restaurant decided to shut its doors early and keep them shut for the next few days.

The Guardian

Actually, LoftBoardgate is a reminder not of what Rudy does behind closed doors, but of his inability to keep them shut.

The New York Times

The leftists want the prisons opened because the people in them shouldn't be there; the Norquistians want them opened because it costs too much to keep them shut.

The New Yorker

He would keep them shut the whole time, as if by doing so he could make something he had seen go away.

The New York Times

"We will vote by a show of hands," she said, "but in order to keep the vote secret, everyone must shut her eyes and keep them shut until I finish counting".

The New Yorker

He then cools the flowers at exactly the temperature that will keep them shut for 24 hours, by which time they will be on the desk of a prison official, ostensibly as a gift from local businessmen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the gates, kept them shut this year, citing a major drought and Endangered Species Act obligations to supply water to the threatened coho salmon and two endangered fish species called suckers.

Los Angeles Times

"The police [are] working within the parameters of the law," Uganda's information minister, Mary Karooro Okurut, told journalists on Monday in Kampala, hours after police had forced two newspapers and two radio stations to shut down while they conducted a search -- and kept them shut.

Huffington Post

After the wedding, keep them half shut".

The New York Times - Style

A 1970 FCC rule largely prevented the traditional Big Three broadcast networks — ABC, CBS and NBC — from owning their scripted programs to keep them from shutting out independent producers from their prime-time lineups.

Los Angeles Times

"I saw a mother covering her child's eyes, telling him to keep them tightly shut," said one witness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "keep them shut" to advise someone to remain silent, consider the context and whether a more formal or polite alternative might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "keep them shut" in situations where active communication or openness is required. The phrase implies a need for secrecy or restraint, which may not always be desirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them shut" functions as an imperative or declarative phrase, depending on the context. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it advises or describes maintaining a state of closure or silence, whether literal (doors, windows) or figurative (mouths, eyes).

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep them shut" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to advise or describe the act of maintaining closure or silence. While the phrase is acceptable, writers should consider the context and whether a more formal alternative might be more appropriate. Common errors include misinterpreting the intended context of the phrase. Some alternatives are "maintain silence" and "remain silent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain silence

Emphasizes the act of not speaking or revealing information.

remain silent

Highlights the continuation of being quiet.

stay quiet

Suggests a temporary state of not making noise or speaking.

keep quiet

General way to tell someone to not speak.

hold your tongue

Implies restraint in speaking, especially to avoid saying something inappropriate.

refrain from speaking

Formal way of saying to not talk.

zip your lip

Informal way to tell someone to be quiet.

avoid divulging information

Focuses on not releasing sensitive information.

close them up

Focuses on physically closing something, like doors or windows.

seal them tight

Implies a secure and complete closure.

FAQs

How can I use "keep them shut" in a sentence?

You can use "keep them shut" to advise someone to remain silent or to describe maintaining a closed state. For example, "In sensitive situations, it's often best to keep them shut to avoid unnecessary conflict" or "I keep my windows shut during allergy season".

What are some alternatives to "keep them shut" when referring to silence?

Alternatives include "maintain silence", "remain silent", or "stay quiet" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep them shut"?

Yes, the phrase "keep them shut" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

What does it mean to "keep them shut" in a figurative sense?

Figuratively, "keep them shut" can mean to avoid speaking or revealing information, often to prevent problems or maintain privacy.