Category: English Phrase
Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone Meaning Apply yourself conscientiously to your work. Origin There are two rival explanations as to the origin of this phrase. One is that …
Keep Your Chin Up Meaning Remain cheerful in a difficult situation. Origin This sounds like one of those rousing maxims that were drilled into the young of Victorian England …
Keep up With the Joneses Meaning Strive to match one’s neighbours in spending and social standing. Origin This term is 20th century American. It originated with Arthur (Pop) Momand’s …
Keep Schtum Meaning Say nothing – especially in circumstances where saying the wrong thing may get you into trouble. Origin This probably derives from the German word stumm meaning …
Keep It Up Meaning Encouragement to have someone continue with a difficult task. Example Karla’s professor encouraged her to keep up her good work after performing her first viola …
Keep It Under Your Hat Meaning Keep a secret. Example Michael Jackson told the little boys to keep it under their hat. Origin Back when men wore hats regularly, …
Keep Danger at Bay Meaning Having protective powers. Origin In ancient times the bay tree was regarded as having great protective powers. This was due to the fact that …
Keep Body and Soul Together Meaning To survive. The phrase is most often used specifically to refer to earning sufficient money to keep oneself alive. Origin The phrase derives …
Keep a Wide Berth Meaning A goodly distance. Origin ”Wide berth’ is most commonly found in the phrases ‘keep a wide berth of’, ‘give a wide berth to’ etc. …
Keep a Stiff Upper Lip Meaning Remain resolute and unemotional in the face of adversity, or even tragedy. Origin This is such a clichéd expression that it is difficult …
