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.
I think maybe they learned the lesson that it’s best to ignore us, but it’s probably going to be pretty hard for him to keep quiet.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2026
On Sunday, they pleaded with passersby and motorcyclists to keep quiet as they tried to listen for any sound of life—a cry for help, a cough or heavy breathing—from people under the rubble.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
Some who continue to show up keep quiet about the detentions or deportations of family members because they feel ashamed, Cardona said.
From Salon ● Mar. 2, 2026
Fast bowler Scott Boland has identified Joe Root as the England player Australia need to keep quiet in the Ashes series.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2025
The smart ones learned to keep quiet and let Smith initiate a conversation, which he did every once in a while.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
