keep something for oneself—save smth. for one’s own use: I actually bought you those slippers, but liked them so much I decided to keep them for myself. keep something to oneself—keep information, etc. secret from other people: Please continue to keep these facts to yourself for a little while longer, Paul.
Difference between Keep something dark and Throw light on something
keep something dark—keep smth. secret: Latham had given the impression that he knew all about the subject but wanted to keep it dark. throw light on something—(also: shed light on something) clarify or explain smth.: An Australian fossil related to a species known in Argentina may throw light on the continent’s geographical past.
Difference between Keep someone on track and Keep track of someone
keep someone on track—keep a person focused on a task, etc.: Stephen begins to speak softly and I keep him on track by moving my finger along with the words he reads. keep track of someone—continue to be informed or know about smb.: Has anyone even seen John recently? He’s been so busy lately we […]
Difference between Keep someone in something and Keep someone to something
keep someone in something—provide a person with smth. such as food, etc.: The uniforms were goofy, but the food was free and the money kept me in clothes and rock music. keep someone to something— 1. cause a person to talk about smth. without letting his attention wander: Your patient may require guidance to keep […]
Difference between Keep someone down and Keep someone under
keep someone down— 1. (also: hold someone down) cause a person to remain in a lower position: John tried to look in that direction but a crisscrossing hail of laser fire kept him down. 2. (also: hold someone down) oppress or hold back a person: He told me that “every company” he had worked for had […]
Difference between Keep someone away from something and Keep someone out of something
keep someone away from something— 1. cause a person not to come near smth.: The police used tear gas to keep the crowd away from the factory compound. 2. cause a person to avoid smth. harmful: I would never have imagined it would be so hard to keep her away from sweets. 3. cause a […]
Difference between Keep someone at bay and Keep the wolf at bay
keep someone at bay —(also: hold someone at bay) maintain a safe distance from smb.; prevent a person from acting: These people come from sick, evil families and we good Americans are trying to keep them at bay. keep the wolf at bay—manage to make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into […]
Difference between Keep oneself dark and Keep someone in the dark
keep oneself dark—be characterized by inconspicuous behavior; keep out of the public eye: He hid himself … kept himself dark, as he says, out of the way and out of the trial. keep someone in the dark—keep a person in ignorance about smth.: He is prepared to do things his own way and to keep […]
Difference between Keep one’s shirt on and Lose one’s shirt
keep one’s shirt on—(coll.) remain calm; keep one’s temper (also: hold one’s shirt): I told him to keep his shirt on, no matter what the provocation. lose one’s shirt—lose all one’s money (as a result of gambling, etc.): Everybody knows that John lost his shirt when that business he had invested in failed.
Difference between Keep one’s pecker up and Put someone’s pecker up
keep one’s pecker up—(UK coll.) keep one’s spirits up: Charles could not eat, in spite of the rough kindness of one of the warders, who adjured him to keep his pecker up. put someone’s pecker up—(coll.) make smb. angry; put a person out of temper: He thinks he can do what he likes with I […]
Difference between Keep one’s peace and Keep the peace
keep one’s peace— 1. (also: hold one’s peace) refrain from arguing; remain silent: He told one lie after another, and it was only with the greatest effort that I was able to keep my peace. 2. (of a country) refrain from military action: Imperialism had a very small part in the history of Japan. Before […]
Difference between Keep one’s pants on and Wear the pants
keep one’s pants on—(coll.) remain calm; keep one’s temper (also: keep one’s shirt on): Always remember to keep your pants on in times of stress. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase catch someone with his pants down—(sl.) catch a person off guard: Rachel’s telephone call hadn’t caught me with my […]