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Difference between Put the lid on something and Take the lid off something

admin Confusing Phrases

put the lid on something—

1. (also: put the tin lid on something) cause a plan, an activity, etc. to end:

  • I sympathized with Jimmie’s desire, but I very promptly put the lid on his hopes.

2. suppress or “clamp down” on smth.:

  • Their sexual development may have been arrested and unable to grow naturally in an environment that tended to put the lid on those things.

take the lid off something —(also: lift the lid off something) expose or reveal smth. scandalous, shocking, etc. that has been hidden:

  • The board fears that the plan will take the lid off party spending.