Phrase guide

keep it between the ditches

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

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To stay out of trouble or follow a righteous (God-fearing) path.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Originally an Irish saying referring to keeping your horse (and buggy) on the road when either the terrain or your spirit or speed was challenging, it was brought to America by immigrant settlers and made popular in the Southern states. It was also popularised by the fictional "Duke Brothers " in the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard" based in rural Georgia. In recent years the phase has morphed into the meaning of "Clean Living", The rock band Drive By Truckers used the phrase in their song "The Righteous Path." Some members of the band are from the northern part of Alabama.