keep quiet
Idioms-
Also, keep still.
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Also, . Remain silent; same as hold one's tongue . For example, Please keep quiet about the party . Also see keep one's mouth shut .
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Refrain from moving, stay in the same position; same as hold still . For example, The doctor gave the young boy a toy to keep him quiet while on the examining table , or It's hard for the baby to keep still unless he's sleeping . [Late 1300s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Like most clichés, this one contains truth, but its expression sounds like an excuse to keep quiet and do nothing.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
"When I was younger I used to just keep quiet and felt patronised and belittled," she said.
From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026
He’s become close to a father and his usually nonverbal son who can’t keep quiet at shows, asking questions and singing along.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026
Late night legend David Letterman was an anchor of the CBS lineup for over two decades, and he can’t keep quiet about what he’s seeing from the network’s news division.
From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026
“I was hoping Hemme would be embarrassed and keep quiet about it,” I admitted.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
