lid

American  

[lid] / lɪd /

noun

1. a removable or hinged cover for closing the opening, usually at the top, of a pot, jar, trunk, etc.; a movable cover.

2. an eyelid.

3. a restraint, ceiling, or curb, as on prices or news.

4. Slang. a hat, cap, or other head covering.

5. (in mosses)

   1. the cover of the capsule; operculum.

   2. the upper section of a pyxidium.

6. Slang. one ounce of marijuana.

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verb (used with object)

lidded, lidding

1. to supply or cover with a lid.

idioms

1. blow / flip one's lid, to lose control, especially to rage hysterically: Also flip one's wig.

   He nearly flipped his lid over the way they damaged his car.

2. blow the lid off, to expose to public view, especially to reveal something scandalous, illegal, etc.

lid British  

/ lɪd /

noun

1. a cover, usually removable or hinged, for a receptacle

   a saucepan lid

   a desk lid

2. short for eyelid

3. botany another name for operculum

4. slang short for skidlid

5. old-fashioned a quantity of marijuana, usually an ounce

6. informal to raise one's hat as a greeting, etc

7. slang to become crazy or angry

8. informal

   1. to be the final blow to

   2. to curb, prevent, or discourage

9. informal to make startling or spectacular revelations about

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lid More Idioms  

1. see blow the lid off; flip one's lid; put the lid on.

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Other Word Forms

• lidded adjective
• sublid noun
• underlid noun
• unlidded adjective

Etymology

Origin of lid

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hlid; cognate with Dutch, German lid, Old Norse hlith gate, gateway

Example Sentences

And despite increased profit from higher oil prices, companies will probably keep a tight lid on costs.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Buying of mortgage bonds from Freddie and Fannie has provided some offset to the damage, even if higher mortgage rates keep a lid on refinancing activity.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

This study rules out the stagnant lid idea, showing that Earth's surface was already divided into moving pieces.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

Iran appears to be allowing select ships through the Strait of Hormuz, freeing a trickle of oil and gas that has helped to keep a lid on global energy prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Beryl and John gather round as I lift the lid.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• cap
• roof