1
general::
Phrase(s): keep something down
1. Lit. to make the level of noise lower and keep it lower. • Please keep it down. You are just too noisy. • Keep the noise down, or I will call the police. 2. Fig. to retain food in one’s stomach rather than throwing it up. • I’ve got the flu and I can’t keep any food down. • She couldn’t keep the milk down. 3. Fig. to keep spending under control. • I work hard to keep expenses down. • Please try to keep the cost of the new project down., Phrase(s): keep someone down
to prevent someone from advancing or succeeding. • His lack of a degree will keep him down. • I don’t think that this problem will keep her down., Phrase(s): keep someone or something down
to hold someone or something in a hidden or protected position. • Try to keep Sam down where no one can see him. • Please keep the noise down so Fred won’t know it’s a party when he comes in.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Hold under control, repress; also, retain food. For example, Keep your voice down, or They vowed to keep down the insurgency, or With morning sickness, she had a hard time keeping down her breakfast. [Late 1500s] 2. Prevent from increasing or succeeding, as in The government was determined to keep prices down, or Joyce felt that her lack of an advanced degree kept her down in terms of promotions. [Early 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms