keep quiet

(redirected from keep him quiet)

keep quiet

1. To be quiet; to not make any noise. Often used as an imperative. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is sometimes used between "keep" and "quiet." Please keep quiet during the movie, kids. People are trying to listen. The only way I can keep my dog quiet when the mailman comes around is to give him a treat.
2. To force someone to stay silent or not divulge information. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "keep" and "quiet." They offered me a ton of money to keep me quiet, but I'm still going to testify.
See also: keep, quiet

keep quiet (about something)

To refuse to divulge any information (about something) to someone else. They offered me a ton of money to keep quiet, but I'm still going to testify at the trial. We all agreed to keep quiet about what we found that day.
See also: keep, quiet

keep something quiet

 and keep something still
Fig. to keep something a secret. I'm quitting my job, but my boss doesn't know yet. Please keep it quiet. Okay. I'll keep it still
See also: keep, quiet

keep quiet (about someone or something)

 and keep still (about someone or something)
to refrain from talking about someone or something; to keep a secret about someone or something. Please keep quiet about the missing money. Please keep still about it. All right. I'll keep still.
See also: keep, quiet

keep quiet

Also, keep still.
1. Also, be quiet or still . Remain silent; same as hold one's tongue. For example, Please keep quiet about the party. Also see keep one's mouth shut.
2. 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]
See also: keep, quiet
References in classic literature ?
These murmurs increasing, and attaining a high pitch, Hugh, and some of those who yet lingered in the bar, and who plainly were the leaders of the troop, took counsel together, apart, as to what was to be done with John, to keep him quiet until their Chigwell work was over.
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There's been a nice to do all afternoon to keep him quiet.
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Pocket was at home, and was in a little difficulty, on account of the baby's having been accommodated with a needle-case to keep him quiet during the unaccountable absence(with a relative in the Foot Guards) of Millers.
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I have drawn blood enough to keep him quiet awhile; he should lie for a week where he is--that is the best thing for him and you; but another stroke would settle him.
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Phil, sensing that he can have some fun, suggests that there might be another way to keep him quiet.
TRACY'S BACKED INTO A CORNER
But Jagielka, who has played alongside Kane for England, is hoping to keep him quiet when the Blues travel to Wembley.
Jagielka ready to silence hotshot Kane
The Calypso boys have enough verbal ammunition to keep him quiet for a few years.
MUM'S THE WORD, STOKESIE!
Hopefully we'll keep him quiet again as we know how important he is.
KEANE: KEEP ZLAT QUIET & WE CAN WIN
He had been leading a double life as a supposed psychic, which a colleague claims was part of an experiment into the psychology of faith - she also believes that Reuben may have been killed by his mentor, Andrew Crane, in an effort to keep him quiet about a series of military experiments he had been working on.
MONDAY'S TV 7.01.13
As ever with Arsenal, the key will be Robin van Persie - will he play and, if so, can Sunderland keep him quiet for a second week running?
HUNTER'S VERDICT
The best way to keep him quiet is to ensure he has plenty of defensive duties himself.
Balemustbestopped
Most of Boro's best play now comes through Stewart Downing, so keep him quiet and you keep the whole team quiet.
'Downing key man for Boro' FANZONE If I was manager..
You keep him quiet all game long and then, in the last couple of minutes, he pops up with a couple of match-winning goals.
Souness hails his own deadly duo
And I'm trying to keep him quiet, but he's not screaming or anything.
FIRST CLASS JODIE FOSTER ON PARENTING, MOVIE PENGUINS AND 'FLIGHTPLAN'
Rusty annoys my dad while he is watching TV, until my dad gives him something that will keep him quiet, like a carrot.
Rusty's routines
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