keel (redirected from keeling)

keel something over

Rur. to push something over. He leaned on the flimsy wall and keeled it right over. The high wind keeled over that sorry old fence.

keel over

[for a person] to fall over or fall down in a faint or in death. It was so hot in the room that two people just keeled over.

keep something on an even keel

Fig. to keep something in a steady and untroubled state. The manager cannot keep the firm on an even keel any longer. When the workers are unhappy, it is difficult to keep the factory on an even keel.

See also: even, keep

keep on an even keel

Fig. to remain cool and calm. (Originally nautical.) If Jane can keep on an even keel and not panic, she will be all right. Try to keep on an even keel and not get upset so easily.

See also: even, keep

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on an even keel

calm and not likely to change suddenly My main priority is to keep my life on an even keel for the sake of my two boys.

See Don't even go there, break even

See also: even

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keel over

1. to fall down suddenly because of illness or weakness Working outside in this heat, she was afraid someone would keel over.

2. (slang) to die suddenly The old man simply keeled over on the sidewalk from a heart attack, I suppose.

Etymology: based on the idea of a boat that keels over (turns over) with its keel (bottom) up