keep 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 refrain from divulging any information about something. 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

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.