keep down
verb1
To repress.
- The dictatorial state keeps down its dissidents very efficiently.
- Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom / Well, who am I to keep you down? / It's only right that you should play the way you feel it / But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness1977, “Dreams”, in Stevie Nicks (lyrics), Fleetwood Mac (music), Rumours, performed by Stevie Nicks:
2
To restrain or control (a sound).
- We must keep the noise down, or the neighbours will complain.
- Keep it down in there! Some of us are trying to sleep!
3
To cause not to increase or rise.
- It is essential to keep the numbers down to avoid overcrowding.
4
To retain in the stomach without vomiting.
- It is difficult to keep anything down when you have the flu.
5
To lie low; to stay concealed by not standing up.
- You had better keep down or they will see you.
6
Media, Printing, Publishing Obsolete To refrain from using capital letters more than absolutely necessary.
- Derived terms
- keep it down, you can't keep a good man down