Phrase guide

keep a lid on

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To keep something secret.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, imperative

Examples

  • It's supposed to be a surprise, so try to keep a lid on it, will you?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: držet pod pokličkou — keep something secret
  • German: unter Verschluss halten — keep something secret
  • German: geheim halten — keep something secret